L.A. city employees will be required to get COVID-19 shots (or get regular tests)

With the coronavirus surging again, LosAngeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Council President Nury Martinez announced Tuesday that all city employees will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations or weekly negative COVID-19 tests.

The announcement came one day after City Councilman Mark RidleyThomas said he plans to introduce a motion today to require vaccinations for city employees.

“The fourth wave is here, and the choice for Angelenos couldn’t be clearer — get vaccinated or get COVID-19,” Garcetti said Tuesday. “This urgent need means that if you’re a city employee, we’re now going to require you

to either show that you’re vaccinated or take a weekly test.”

The policy, similar to the state’s policy, falls short of a vaccine “mandate,” offering employees the option of undergoing regular COVID testing instead of providing proof of vaccination. However, Garcetti said he and Martinez are “committed to pursuing a full vaccine mandate.”

Martinez said, “I think it’s safe to say that we’re getting tired of putting our lives on hold to protect people who don’t want to protect themselves and get vaccinated.”

The state announced on Monday that all state employees and all workers at hospitals and health care facilities across California will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, while those who are unable or refuse to do so will have to be tested at least once a week.

The vaccine-verification program for state employees is expected to begin as early as next week. The system for health-care workers will be implemented over the coming weeks, with compliance expected by Aug. 23. It will apply to all health-care settings across the state — public and private.

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia announced Tuesday afternoon that the city will follow the state’s model and require its employees to either show proof of vaccinations or weekly negative COVID-19 tests.

“Thank you to the 72% of employees who are already vaccinated,” Garcia said. “It’s important that public institutions model responsible leadership.”

He added that he hopes other cities and counties throughout California will enact similar policies, saying “it’s time we beat this pandemic.”

San Francisco and New York City have announced similar plans.

Garcetti and Martinez’ announcement Tuesday comes as the LosAngeles