LA City Council Introduces Motion Requiring Vaccinations for Indoor Dining

On Wednesday, August 4, Los Angeles city council members Nury Martinez and Mitch O’Farrell introduced a motion requiring proof of vaccination to dine indoors at restaurants. It’s the latest move from the city government level as COVID-19 cases continue to increase throughout the Southland and the nation. New York City began requiring proof of vaccination for indoor dining on Tuesday, August 3.

The LA motion would require diners to have at least one dose of the vaccine to enter restaurants, retail stores, gyms, spas, stadiums, concert venues, and movie theaters. In a statement, O’Farrell noted concerns surrounding the delta variant. First detected in April, the COVID-19 strain appears to be 225 percent more infectious than the original SARS-CoV-2 variant. The council member also reported that LA County reported 2,293 new confirmed cases on Tuesday, with 20 deaths.

In other news:

• The battle over ownership of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza — or Crenshaw Mall — hit another snag this week. Local developer Harridge Development Group did not close the deal with DWS, a global financial services firm affiliated with Deutsche Bank. Local activist group Downtown Crenshaw Rising posted on Instagram that the sale did not close on the original deadline of July 30, and is extended for another two weeks.
• Dulan’s on Crenshaw is closing for five to six months due to renovations, but the Dulanville food truck will operate in front of the restaurant during construction.
• Ralphs parent company Kroger Co. announced a partnership with Kitchen United this week. The grocery chain and ghost kitchen plan to bring a virtual food hall with restaurant brands into stores for online ordering, takeout, and delivery. It’s unclear which LA restaurants are participating, but the program rolls out in a Los Angeles Ralphs this fall.
• On August 18, Zef Hawaiian and Enegren Brewing Company are hosting an underground dinner party collaboration. This ticketed event starts sales tomorrow, so get on over to the Zef or Enegren website to reserve a spot.
• Love Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso? The promotions team put together three tailgate events this week. According to the Drum, the tailgates take place at Banc of California Stadium and will include those beloved biscuits, plus rides on a double-decker “believe bus.”

• Sometimes, chicken wings do the trick. Let’s not kid ourselves, they always do, which is why LAist put together a guide on where to find them throughout the Southland.
• Orange County’s health department visited Basilico Pasta e Vino on Tuesday but was turned away. Afterward, the defiant owner posted a manifesto on Instagram.
• Feel like having a cooking class by legendary chef Gino Angelini and his wife Elizabeth? It’s happening via Zoom on August 19 at 6 p.m., and comes with an Angelini Osteria meal kit from Gelson’s. All the signup information is on the QR code.

Courtesy of Angelini Osteria

• More LA Restaurants Are Requiring Proof of Vaccination to Dine on the Premises [ELA]