WeHo City Council approves implementing new vaccine mandate

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - The West Hollywood City Council has approved the implementation of the new vaccine mandates.

On Monday, the city council ratified West Hollywood's emergency executive order requiring vaccination proof for most indoor public spaces in the city, including restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The mandate also applies to health and fitness establishments and personal care services.

Under the new mandate, patrons 18 and older must provide proof for one dose of the vaccine by October 7 and proof of full vaccination by November 4.

RELATED: Proof of vaccination required for West Hollywood patrons wanting to dine at indoor bars, restaurants

Residents will also be required to provide proof of vaccination to get a massage, get a facial, or get their hair and nails done. 

The City of West Hollywood issued an emergency executive order on Sept. 10 requiring patrons and customers 18 and older to show they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before entering the following establishments:

• Restaurants where food or drink is served indoors
• Bars where food or drink is served indoors
• Indoor nightclubs
• Indoor theaters
• Indoor pot shops/lounges
• Indoor entertainment venues
• Indoor gyms
• Indoor recreation facilities
• Yoga studios
• Indoor personal care establishments including – but not limited to – nail salons, hair salons, barbershops, estheticians, tattoo parlors, tanning services, skin care and cosmetology services and massage therapy services

Under the emergency order, all covered businesses in West Hollywood have until Monday, October 11 "to conspicuously post at the entrance to the facility signage informing individuals that Proof of Full Vaccination is required to enter the indoor portion of the facility." 

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Covered businesses have until October 11 to start posting at the front of the facilities.

What are the accepted forms of proof of vaccination?

• CDC vaccination card
• Photo or copy of the vaccine card as a separate document
• Photo of the vaccine card stored on a phone or electronic device
• Documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider
• Digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California

Israel Garcia, the owner of Izzy's Barber Shop in West Hollywood, said his business has gone through many changes during the pandemic.

"At the beginning of the pandemic, I was crazy to be honest. I didn't know what was going to happen. I didn't know if I was going to keep my business going. Luckily, we got some help from the government to pay bills. Slowly we're coming back, but it's been like a rollercoaster. It was confusing. It was stressful to be quite honest but I'm still blessed I still have my business," said Garcia.

Garcia supports the new mandate from city officials.

"I think it's very important to have proof of vaccination for everybody, just for the safety of everybody. Since the whole vaccination started, I've been asking all my customers when they sit at the chair, ‘Are you vaccinated?’ and they're like, ‘Yes,’" he said.

He doesn't foresee any issues asking his clients for vaccination proof.

"I don't think I'm gonna have a problem asking to show proof of vaccination, but we'll see," said Garcia.

Garcia said he has no problem showing his vaccination card to other establishments either.

"I have no problem showing my vaccination. I actually feel safe when I go into a restaurant, a bar or any establishment," he said.

When asked about whether testing should be included in the mandate, Garcia believed it's best to get vaccinated.

"I honestly think the best way is just to get the vaccine. I feel like the testing is a waste of time and you have to go once or twice a week and that costs money. It takes time. It's almost like an inconvenience," he said.

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