The Los Angeles City Council delayed its vote on a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for indoor spaces Wednesday after one of its members withheld their vote.
Councilman Joe Buscaino, who also happens to be running for mayor, called the proposed law “unenforceable.” He expressed concerns that it could hurt small businesses, cause confusion, and take time and resources away from code enforcement. Those concerns have also been expressed by the Los Angeles County Business Federation and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
“This council was ready to lead and one member was not,” said Council President Nury Martinez, as quoted by the Los Angeles Times. “This is about saving lives, and political stunts like this are now putting Angelenos at risk.”
The measure requiring patrons of restaurants, shopping centers, movie theaters, and salons to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test will be voted on Oct. 5 and will require 8 “yes” votes to pass. A unanimous vote Wednesday would have allowed the measure to pass on its first reading.