09/28/2021
FOR THOSE OF YOU WITH PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
ICSC has learned this Wednesday, September 29, the Los Angeles City Council will vote on a new ordinance (click here to view) requiring proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 to enter a large percentage of indoor public locations, including malls and shopping centers and numerous other businesses that are open to the public. This measure is expected to pass overwhelmingly and will likely impact your properties and tenants in Los Angeles.
The proposal defines “Covered Location” to mean any of the following locations in the City:
Establishments where food or beverages are served, including, but not limited to, restaurants, bars, fast food establishments, coffee shops, tasting rooms, cafeterias, food courts, breweries, wineries, distilleries, banquet halls, and hotel ballrooms;
Gyms and fitness venues, including, but not limited to: gyms, recreation facilities, fitness centers, yoga, Pilates, cycling, barre, and dance studios, hotel gyms, boxing and kickboxing gyms, fitness boot camps, and other facilities used for conducting indoor group fitness classes;
Entertainment and recreation venues, including, but not limited to, movie theaters, music and concert venues, live performance venues, adult entertainment venues, commercial event and party venues, sports arenas, convention centers, exhibition halls, museums, malls, shopping centers, performing arts theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, card rooms, family entertainment centers, play areas, pool and billiard halls, and other recreational game centers;
Personal care establishments, including spas, nail salons, hair salons, barbershops, tanning salons, estheticians, skin care and cosmetology services, body art professionals, piercing shops, and massage therapy, except as medically required.
The proposal defines “Indoor Portion” as any part of a “Covered Location” or "City Facility" with a roof or overhang that is enclosed by at least three walls, except that the following will not be considered an Indoor Portion: 1) a structure on the sidewalk or roadway if it is entirely open on the side facing the sidewalk; and 2) an outdoor dining structure for individual parties, such as a plastic dome, if it has adequate ventilation to allow for air circulation.
There is an exemption for medical or religious beliefs.
IMPORTANT DATES
September 29 – Los Angeles City Council holds vote on ordinance.
October 21 – A “covered location” shall prominently display on its premises an advisory notice to patrons that starting November 4, 2021 proof of vaccination is required to enter any indoor portion of a covered location.
November 4 – A “covered location” shall require proof of vaccination upon the patron’s first in-person interaction with staff. A “covered location” is required to cross-check proof of vaccination for each patron who appears to be 18 years or older against photo ID. A patron who does not provide Proof of Vaccination may be allowed to enter an indoor portion of a covered location for brief and limited periods of time provided a mask is worn.
November 29 – Enforcement in the form of a warning, followed by escalating fines on an operator of a “covered location” who does not comply.
The ordinance is in effect until the lifting of the Mayor’s Declaration of Emergency from March 4, 2020.
Several provisions lack clarity at this time. Once the proposed ordinance is passed, which is highly likely at tomorrow’s session, the city’s Economic and Workforce Development Department will write the implementation guidance.
To contact members of the City Council and Mayor Garcetti about the proposed ordinance or with questions/concerns about implementation, please see below:
LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL
Mayor - Eric Garcetti: [email protected]
Council Member District 1 - Gil Cedillo: [email protected]
Council Member District 2 - Paul Krekorian: [email protected]
Council Member District 3 - Bob Blumenfield: [email protected]
Council Member District 4 - Nithya Raman: [email protected]
Council Member District 5 - Paul Koretz: [email protected]
Council Member District 6 - Nury Martinez: [email protected]
Council Member District 7 - Monica Rodriguez: [email protected]
Council Member District 8 - Marqueece Harris-Dawson: [email protected]
Council Member District 9 - Curren D. Price, Jr.: [email protected]
Council Member District 10 - Mark Ridley-Thomas: [email protected]
Council Member District 11 - Mike Bonin: [email protected]
Council Member District 12 - John Lee: [email protected]
Council Member District 13 - Mitch O'Farrell: [email protected]
Council Member District 14 - Kevin de León: [email protected]
Council Member District 15 - Joe Buscaino: [email protected]
Sincerely,
Betsy Laird
Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy
ICSC
Jim Hill
Vice President, State & Local Government Relations, Global Public Policy
