Title
Staff Report for a City of San Leandro City Council Urgency Ordinance and a Regular Ordinance to Require Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination to Enter Specified Places of Public Accommodation
Staffreport
RECOMMENDATION
Per the City Council's direction at the October 4, 2021 City Council meeting, staff presents for the City Council's consideration and possible action an Urgency Ordinance that would go into effect immediately and a Regular Ordinance to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination at specified indoor locations within the City.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
The COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant challenge in the City of San Leandro, especially in light of the highly contagious Delta variant. The number of COVID-19 cases and rate of community transmission remain a matter of significant public concern and, according to health experts, both are capable of increasing without warning because respiratory viruses and the flu spread more easily in the fall and winter months.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California Department of Public Health, and the Alameda County Department of Health uniformly recommend widespread vaccination in order to combat the spread of COVID-19, protect those who cannot be vaccinated by reason of age or immune weakness, safeguard the capacity of the local health care system, and prevent unnecessary and premature deaths. Although vaccines are widely available throughout the City and Alameda County, many eligible residents are not yet vaccinated. If there is not a significant increase in vaccination coverage, health experts warn that there will be a cycle of repeated surges every few months. The City has an interest in increasing vaccination rates which, in turn, will help stem the spread of COVID-19 and protect its residents against disease that threatens the health, safety, and wellbeing of everyone.
In light of state and local guidance, requiring vaccination of all eligible individuals who frequent ...
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