No Proof of Vaccine, No Service in Palm Springs

Customers wanting to dine in Palm Springs restaurants will need to show proof of vaccine first

Following the lead of New York City, the Palm Springs City Council this week voted unanimously to require proof of vaccine or a negative COVID-19 test from the past 72 hours for customers of indoor restaurants and bars.

New York City became the first U.S. city to require proof of vaccination for a variety of activities for workers and customers — indoor dining, gyms and movie theaters — a move intended to put pressure on people to get vaccinated, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday, according to the New York Times.

New York was the first U.S. city to implement a vaccine requirement for indoor dining, announcing the move earlier this week. Palm Springs adopted the requirement Wednesday and it will take effect within three weeks.

To date, Palm Springs, an international tourist destination, is the only Coachella Valley city to implement the “no proof, no service” mandate,

In an effort to keep the community safe amidst growing concerns about the spread of the Delta variant and a surge in local COVID-19 cases, the Palm Springs City Council this week approved new citywide COVID-19 safety requirements.
The new regulations approved by City Council are as follows:

• Effective immediately, customers, employees and other visitors are required to wear face coverings in indoor settings, such as stores and restaurants, regardless of vaccination status.
• Proof of vaccine or negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours required indoors when entering a bar or restaurant. Restaurants and bars have three weeks to implement the necessary requirements. Deadline is Thursday, Aug. 26.
• Proof of vaccination status or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours required for all ticketed, city-permitted large events, such as Splash House and Dinah Shore Weekend, effective immediately.
• Face coverings required at VillageFest, the city’s weekly Thursday night street fair, beginning Thursday, Aug. 12.
• City employees required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

On Monday, the city of Palm Springs began requiring mandatory face coverings for all city employees and patrons indoors at all City facilities, and by City employees while outdoors and interacting closely with others.

“The top priority of the City Council is always the health and safety of our community and we have heard from our residents, businesses and workers overwhelmingly that they want their leaders to set an example and implement necessary precautions to keep Palm Springs safe,” Mayor Christy Holstege said in a prepared statement. She called for the special meeting to consider the new safety requirements.

“We have made hard decisions quickly to hopefully prevent harder decisions in the near future,” said Holstege. “Our residents, businesses and workers recognize the need to once again pivot, and the City Council has listened. I am extremely proud of our community.”

For more information and updates regarding the City’s COVID-19 response, click here