California adults who are at least partially vaccinated have the chance to win vacation packages in a randomized drawing July 1.
Newsom announces new incentive for people to get COVID-19 shots
If chances to win cash and $50 grocery gift cards aren’t enough to tempt Californians who haven’t yet been vaccinated to get their COVID-19 shots, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new incentive Monday — a chance to win one of a half-dozen vacation packages around the state.
The announcement of what Newsom called “a series of spectacular items and packages and experiences, including culinary experiences, that really highlight the best of California” comes as California plans to reopen today, dropping physical distancing, mask-wearing, gathering and indoor capacity limits at midnight.
“With all due respect, eat your heart out the rest of the United States — there’s no state in America that has more in terms of experiences, more in terms of its culinary options, than the great state of California,” Newsom said at a morning news conference at the Port of San Francisco.
All Californians aged 18 and older who are at least partially vaccinated will have the chance to win vacation packages in six of what Newsom’s office called California’s “gateway destination cities” of Anaheim, Palm Springs, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. The randomized drawing will take place July 1.
The packages are: Discover the Best of Anaheim package for four, Greater Palm Springs Luxury package for two, Premium
Los Angeles Experience for four, San Diego Beach Dream Vacation for four, San Diego Downtown Dream Vacation for four and San Francisco Welcome Package for four.
The packages include area-specific goodies, such as “floor seats at a Lakers game,” Newsom said, as well as visits to Disneyland, Legoland and Sea World, a San Francisco Giants game, a stay at the Ritz Carlton in Palm springs and a symphony performance.
The vacations were curated by San Francisco Travel Association, Greater Palm Springs Convention
& Visitors Bureau, Visit Anaheim, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board and the San Diego Tourism Authority, and tourism businesses across the state. Californians selected in the drawing also will receive $2,000 from the state to offset travel expenses.
“These epic vacations are just a sample of the endless variety of experiences California has to offer,” said Caroline Beteta, president and chief executive officer of Visit California. “The state’s travel industry is rolling out the red carpet to travelers. With CO
VID-19 at record low rates in the state, now is the time to travel to California.”
The vacation drawings are the latest in a series of incentives the state has offered to entice Californians to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Nearly 47% of all Californians and 55% of those age 12 and older who are eligible for the shots are fully vaccinated against the disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Today, 10 vaccinated Californians will win $1.5 million cash prizes in a drawing. The state has already held drawings for $50,000 cash prizes, with 15 winners announced on June 4, and another 15 winners last Friday. The first 2 million Californians vaccinated on or after May 27 will receive $50 grocery gift certificates by email or text message from the state.
Newsom said the state also is working on providing an electronic verification system where people who have been vaccinated can access their documentation electronically to provide proof if needed for attending events.