Contra Costa County issues order to require vaccines or negative tests for indoor canteens, gyms
Contra Costa County has issued a county-wide health order requiring employers to prove vaccination tests against COVID-19 or a recent negative test in restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses where there is a high risk of spread of COVID-19. Informs Amanda Quintana
AGAINST COSTA COUNTY, Calif. – Contra Costa County has issued a county-wide health order requiring employers to prove vaccination tests against COVID-19 or a recent negative test in restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses where there is a high risk of spread of COVID-19.
The order will take effect on September 22 and will require customers to prove that they are fully vaccinated or have been tested during the previous three days.
Health officials say Contra Costa County has experienced a severe increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations this summer, due to the increased prevalence of the highly infectious delta variant and unvaccinated residents.
While it looks like the worst of the last peak has passed, Contra Costa County continues to see comparable daily case rates in February. Between Aug. 15 and 31, there were 15 COVID-19-related deaths in the county. This figure rose to 20 between 1 and 7 September.
County health officials estimate that unvaccinated residents account for 95.9% of county deaths so far.
COVID-19 case rates are five times higher in unvaccinated county residents compared to fully vaccinated residents. Hospitalization rates are 16 times higher and mortality rates approximately 22 times higher.
“This order is needed now to save lives, protect our overburdened health care system and curb the pandemic enough to keep our schools open,” Dr. Chris Farnitano, the county health officer, in a statement. “Reducing community transmission of the virus is now key to preventing future case surges from overwhelming our county hospitals during the winter months.”
The new order applies to companies where patrons take off masks to drink or eat indoors (including entertainment venues) and indoor gym facilities, including yoga and dance studios.
The order also requires workers in these covered areas to prove they were fully vaccinated on Nov. 1 or to have weekly tests.
The vaccination test includes showing a photo ID and a vaccination registration card from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or copies or photos of the cards. Documentation from health care providers as well as digital vaccine records issued by the state of California is also acceptable.
People can visit myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov for a link to their digital vaccination and can go to cchealth.org/coronavirus for more information about the county health order or where to find a vaccination site in county Against Coast.