Inland counties won’t mirror L.A. mandate for vaccination proof
Riverside and San Bernardino counties will not follow Los Angeles County’s lead in requiring those who attend outdoor events that draw crowds of 10,000 or more show proof of vaccination, or a negative coronavirus test.
Nor will the Inland Empire counties require vaccine verification for customers and employees in indoor portions of bars, wineries, brewer
ies, nightclubs and lounges, as L.A. County has decided to do, officials said Wednesday.
“Thank God, I don't live or operate my business in L.A. County,” said Bill Wilson, owner of Wilson Creek Winery in the Temecula Valley Wine Country. “And I could say that for the entire duration of COVID. They have locked down and clamped down where Riverside (County) was a little more flexible.”
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stated in a news release that it will issue a modified health order this week outlining the new requirements for the nation's most-populous county.
“We heard what L.A. County is doing,” said Jose Arballo Jr., spokesperson for Riverside County's public health agency. “At this point, we have not planned any changes to vaccination requirements.”
Arballo said that is because Riverside County aims to stay in step with state guidelines and will continue doing that.
Spokesperson David Wert said San Bernardino County will do the same.
“Our county's practice has been to align with the state,” Wert said, adding that San Bernardino County “is not going to go beyond the state mandate.”
L.A. County decided to require proof of vaccination or a negative test within 72 hours to attend “outdoor mega-events,” starting Oct. 7, the release stated. Those who go to indoor events of that magnitude already face that requirement.
As for vaccine verification among those headed inside bars, breweries, wineries, nightclubs and lounges, starting Oct. 7 they must show they have received at least one shot and as of Nov. 4 show they are fully vaccinated, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.
“This is a reasonable path forward that can position us to break the cycle of surges,” Ferrer said.
Richard Carpiano, a public health scientist and professor of public policy at UC Riverside, characterized the move as a wise one that will promote good health and economic recovery.
“When you think of how dense a county L.A. County is, and the types of events and venues they have there and the extent of them, this is a good measure for public safety,” Carpiano said.
Given the history of resistance to COVID-19 orders in the Inland Empire, Carpiano said he understands the position Riverside and San Bernardino counties have taken.
“Ultimately, the fundamental concern is that you are in compliance with and in coordination with the state,” he said. “On the flip side of that, though, that can be used sometimes as an excuse to not do things that might be necessary on a local level.”
Carpiano said he believes the levels of infections and hospitalizations, though finally declining after summer's alarming delta-variant-fueled surge, are concerning enough that the Inland region ought to consider adopting similar rules.
“Public health is about prevention,” he said, noting kids are back in the classroom, families are engaged in more activities in the community and the holiday season is approaching. “You're not going to want to wait until cases get worse.”
After reaching summer peaks of 675 in Riverside County and 580 in San Bernardino County, hospitalizations have moderated to 513 and 458, respectively, as of Tuesday, state records show. But the number of people being treated for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, remains far above the lows of 27 recorded in Riverside County and 41 in San Bernardino County just before California's celebrated June 15 reopening from the pandemic.
In addition, San Bernardino County reported 23 new COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday — surpassing a grim pandemic milestone of 5,000 deaths. The cumulative county total is 5,022 deaths.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles County, hospitalizations stood at 1,185 on Tuesday, records show, down from almost 1,800 in August, but well above the low of 212 in June.
Even so, some business representatives don't believe there is a need for the new rules L.A. County is imposing — or that they are practical.
Mike Brewer, owner of The Sire Bar & Grill in Riverside and president of Alcoholic Beverage Consulting Service in Temecula, said he doesn't think that having bar employees, such as a host or hostess, card patrons for vaccination proof would go over well in the Inland Empire.
“It seems to be somewhat an invasion of their privacy,” Brewer said by phone.
With such a requirement, he said he would be concerned about the safety of his employees in a volatile situation.
“My sympathies go out to business owners in L.A.”
Carpiano, the UCR professor and health scientist, views the situation differently.
“If anyone wants to complain about that, have you never been carded at the door to get into a club? This should be something that businesses embrace,” Carpiano said, adding that it's a way to “keep the good times rolling.”
“This also sends an important message from employers to employees that ‘I care about your safety,'” he said.