- Los Angeles is following New York in requiring proof of vaccination for city employees.
- Mayor Garcetti said that in the last month in Los Angeles COVID-19 cases have soared 20-fold.
- Workers who do not show proof of vaccination will be required to test negative for COVID-19 weekly.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Council President Nury Martinez announced on Tuesday that city employees will soon need to either submit proof of vaccination or produce a negative COVID-19 test weekly.
The announcement follows in line with several federal, state, and city initiatives where officials have started to implement vaccine mandates for workers or have workers take regular tests.
"The fourth wave is here, and the choice for Angelenos couldn't be clearer — get vaccinated or get COVID-19," Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a press release.
"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, and we're committed to pursuing a full vaccine mandate. I urge employers across Los Angeles to follow this example," Garcetti added.
"Angelenos have stayed inside for over a year to protect themselves and others. 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," Council President Martinez said in the release. "In order for us, as leaders, to ask Angelenos to get vaccinated, we must set an example as the largest employer in the City of Los Angeles. This is us doing our part."
The release added that in the last month in Los Angeles COVID-19 cases have soared 20-fold.
With no official date set, city employees will soon be required to show their HR department their proof of vaccination, or test negative for COVID-19 on a weekly basis, in order to maintain their employment.
Once the vaccines receive full approval by the FDA, the release says, "the Mayor and City Council will aggressively pursue a vaccine mandate for all City workers."