SACRAMENTO — California became the first state to require proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test to attend indoor gatherings of 1,000 or more people and outdoor gatherings of 10,000 or more people. The new rules, which go into effect Sept. 20, will replace the current requirement for verification of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours for events of 5,000 or more people.
New York City is also leading the nation with its new vaccine mandate, known as “Key to NYC.” In addition to requiring vaccinations for all workers and patrons at restaurants, gyms, and indoor cultural and entertainment venues, the new mandate also applies to venues used by professional event organizers: catering halls, hotel banquet rooms, convention centers, and exhibition halls. Attendees will be required to show proof of at least one dose.
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New Orleans has followed New York’s lead in requiring either proof of at least one vaccine dose or a negative PCR test taken within the last 72 hours to enter various indoor spaces, including hotel ballrooms, event venues and banquet halls. Large outdoor events will also require proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test for groups of more than 500 people if total attendance is greater than 50% of the outdoor venue’s capacity.
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In California, San Francisco will become the first U.S. city to require proof of full vaccination to enter “high-contact” indoor businesses, such as bars, restaurants and clubs, and also all indoor event spaces where food or drink is served. San Francisco’s order creates a new proof of full vaccination requirement for large events at indoor venues with 1,000 or more people; the previous requirement was vaccination or testing to attend indoor events with 5,000 or more people. San Jose also plans to require proof of full vaccination for attendees and staff at events of 50 or more people at city-owned facilities, which include the SAP Center, the convention center and the Center for Performing Arts. There will be no option for a negative test.
In other cities where no government order has been put in place, such as Portland, Oregon, businesses are banding together to require proof of vaccination to enter. In Portland, in addition to dozens of restaurants and bars, a new coalition includes several venues with event spaces, such as Holocene Portland, Polaris Hall and Revolution Hall.
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This patchwork of different vaccine requirements set by cities and states will continue to take shape in the coming months. Other states have banned public entities from requiring proof of vaccination and businesses from excluding unvaccinated people, including Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota and Texas.