San Francisco will join cities like New York and require proof of vaccination from patrons at restaurants, bars, clubs, gyms, and large indoor events, starting August 20. This does not include individuals ordering or picking up food or drink to go. In addition, employees of these establishments will be required to show proof of vaccination beginning October 13.
The updates to San Francisco’s Safer Return Together Health Order are a response to the continued spread of COVID-19 most recently driven by the Delta variant primarily among unvaccinated people. While the city this week reported that 78 percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated, the current surge in new cases demonstrates the need for additional measures to close the remaining gap of unvaccinated people, while protecting those not yet eligible for vaccines such as children under the age of 12, said Mayor London N. Breed, in a statement.
“We know that for our city to bounce back from the pandemic and thrive, we need to use the best method we have to fight COVID-19 and that’s vaccines,” said Breed. “Many San Francisco businesses are already leading the way by requiring proof of vaccination for their customers because they care about the health of their employees, their customers, and this City. This order builds on their leadership and will help us weather the challenges ahead and keep our businesses open. Vaccines are our way out of the pandemic, and our way back to a life where we can be together safely.”
Related: NYC Restaurants Fear Losing Sales from Vaccine Requirements; NYC to Require Proof of Vaccination to Dine Indoors.