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Contra Costa County to Require Vaccination or Test Proof at Restaurants, Bars and Gyms

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In a little more than one week, Contra Costa County customers will have to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test if they want to eat inside a restaurant, drink in a bar or work out in a gym, among other things.

San Francisco and the city of Berkeley have already rolled out similar orders.

The announcement came Tuesday from health officials in an effort to keep severe case surges, and deaths, at bay. The county just lost 35 people to COVID-19 in the two-week period between Aug. 25 and Sept. 7, marking the highest death toll since March.

The new health order requires customers to show vaccination or negative test proof in order to enter indoor businesses deemed high risk for transmission, which is basically anywhere masks are regularly removed for eating and drinking, or where people are highly active. People can show their actual vaccination card — a photo or copy will also work — or a digital download provided by the California Department of Public Health. The digital record can be requested here.

Contra Costa Health Services said healthcare provider documentation may also be used to prove vaccination status.

If customers are not fully vaccinated, they will be required to show proof of a negative test taken within the prior 72 hours.

But it’s not just customers county health officials are concerned with. The health order also addresses employees at the impacted businesses, mandating they be fully vaccinated by Nov. 1 or agree to weekly testing.

More than 20 percent of the county’s eligible population is still unvaccinated, and, according to CCHS, unvaccinated residents make up nearly 96 percent of the county’s total COVID-19 deaths.

Links to Contra Costa County vaccine and testing information, and the full health order can be found here.   

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Nik Wojcik - East Bay Editor

Nik Wojcik - East Bay Editor

Journalist, editor, student, single mom to a pack of wolves, foodie, music lover, resident smart ass, and champion of vulgarity and human kindness.