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Businesses have an obligation to protect the health and livelihood of employees. There is also an ethical responsibility for businesses to do whatever they can to reduce the extent and severity of transmission in Oakland, most especially for the sake of healthcare workers, immunocompromised individuals and young children.
There is a growing list of businesses in Oakland who are joining together to support the policy of asking for proof of vaccination and/or a negative covid19 test before entering their establishments. OIA offers some guidance and ideas about how to go about this to help keep us all as safe as possible.
“The San Francisco Bar Owner Alliance, a group representing more than 500* local bar owners, announced that starting on Thursday customers who wish to remain inside their bars must show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test within the last 72 hours.
The SF Bar Owner Alliance said the new rule is in response to the group’s concern about an uptick in Covid-19 cases among its staff members.
‘We believe we are obligated to protect our workers and their families and to offer a safe space for customers to relax and socialize,” SF Bar Owner Alliance said in a statement.’ ”
-Eli Walsh for East Bay Express, 7/28/2021
“For those who can not currently be vaccinated, safety will only ever arrive when enough people who can be, are. This will serve both to flatten the curve and take pressure off of our health system, and to mitigate the risk of this virus continuing to mutate, plunging us into a never-ending cycle. And for those who have made the conscious and voluntary decision not to be vaccinated, indoor dining remains an incredibly high-risk activity. Though they may perceive a vaccine mandate for indoor dining as an infringement on their personal freedom, preventing these people from eating indoors while a pandemic rages on is the most life-affirming and fair measure we could take. The sooner we do, the sooner each and every one of us can safely return to our favorite corner table.”
-Elazar Sontag for Eater, Aug 3, 2021
Masks:
Masks in public spaces are now enforced in Alameda County. (december 29, 2021)
“Seriously, Upgrade Your Face Mask Omicron is everywhere. Dr. Abraar Karan explains why cloth masks don’t cut it.” -Chas Danner, Intelligencer, December 29, 2021
The Strategist’s guide to face masks includes recommendations for numerous NIOSH-approved N95 respirators, as well as good KN95 and KF94 masks, and advice on how to avoid counterfeits.
Proof Of Vaccination:
STARTING FEBRUARY 1ST, 2022: “Oakland City Council on Tuesday approved an emergency ordinance that will require everyone to show proof they are vaccinated against COVID-19 before entering restaurants, bars, and other establishments. The ordinance applies to restaurants, bars, coffee houses; entertainment venues and museums; gyms, fitness centers, and yoga studios; and senior centers and adult care facilities. Those businesses must post signs by Jan. 15 warning people of the upcoming requirement.” Oakland will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter restaurants, gyms” -David DeBolt, The Oaklandside, December 21, 2021.
California’s DIgital Vaccination card Registration
Digital Vaccine Verification "how to" Flyers:
Follow the link here for pdf and jpg versions of DCVR "how to" flyers.
“It depends on the business, but most have an employee ready to check vaccination records at the door, whether that be a physical or digital version. Bars who require proof of vaccination, for instance, are asking bouncers to check customers' vaccination status along with ID. Other venues, such as PianoFight in San Francisco, are having its box office staff check for vaccination cards along with taking tickets for shows, separately from ID checks.” -Dianne de Guzman, SFGATE July 24, 2021
Article: More San Francisco businesses are requiring proof of vaccination. Here's what you should know.
Valid CDC vaccination cards should include all the following information:
product name*, date of dose(s), vaccine lot number, person’s date of birth, the clinic/location or medical provider’s name, and possibly an IIS reference number.
Please note that in order to qualify as fully vaccinated, it must be at least 2 weeks from the date of their final shot.
Article: How to prove you’re vaccinated as more venues make it mandatory
If you suspect fake cards: report it to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General by submitting a report online or calling 800-447-8477. Please also let the Department of Health know at Covid.Vaccine@doh.wa.gov.
Rapid Tests:
There are numerous free and easily accessible COVID19 test centers across the Bay Area, including some with rapid results. If a customer gets tested at a provider location, businesses can ask that they show a screenshot or digital copy of the test result.
At-Home Rapid Tests: Businesses have no way to prove when customers took these types of tests. If you choose to accept at home rapid test results, it’s more safe that they wait to take the test outside and/or when they arrive. If you are able to provide or sell tests to customers for entry, that is also very helpful
It’s always beneficial to have a policy in place with your staff. It’s also helpful to have information ready to provide to customers who don’t have proof of vaccination or a negative test.
Article: list of fda-approved self-testing kits (august 2 2021)
Alameda County Testing Options
“The Biden administration is buying 500 million rapid COVID-19 test kits to give Americans for free — here's how to get one”-Grace Panetta, The Insider, Dec 21, 2021
Customers who are not fully-vaccinated or cannot be vaccinated due to health, disability or religious reasons:
While customers’ reasons for not getting the vaccine can be appreciated, by law, a business’s obligation to protect employees and reduce the threat of transmission supersedes obligations to accommodate exceptions to their policies for those reasons.
Encourage customers to call ahead, post signage at location, and post on social media to indicate what your business’s covid policies are to avoid confusion. Honor your system.
If outdoor seating and take-out options are offered, this is the best and safest option for unvaccinated individuals during this time.
[Indoor only]: As noted above, while businesses might like to accommodate an exception, they are not legally required to do so if it creates an undue threat to employees.
Options for those who can’t come inside:
Contactless ordering (how to set up)
QR Codes: What They Are and How to Generate One 2021
TOAST: Order and Pay At The Table FAQs
Contactless Dining: Everything You Need To Know
https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/promoting-marketing/create-marketing/shopcode
Guests Dining In? Let Them Scan To Order
Additional Chart on how to handle potential exposures / outbreaks here
Encourage Vaccination:
Offer discounts, deals, free drinks, snacks or samples from your establishment to customers who show proof of vaccination.
Team up with supportive neighboring business for package deals.
Work with artists/musicians/DJs or pop-up food vendors.
Work with pop-up mobile vaccine site events.
