[dropcap size=big]N[/dropcap]ext time you go to the bar, make sure to bring your ID and your vaccine card (if you have one). L.A. TACO has learned that more than 40 bars — including The Short Stop, Footsie’s, Blind Barber, Bar Henry, The Lash, Melody Lounge and Gold Diggers Bar — have updated their COVID-19 policies within the past several days, and more are likely to follow.
At the establishments listed above, patrons must show either proof of vaccination or a negative test result within 72 hours of arrival. At the Echo Plex, host of the popular Dub Club night, on top of everyone being required to wear a mask (per L.A. County guidelines), they will temporarily stop accepting cash, and only small plastic, vinyl, or see-through handbags will be permitted (to reduce staff contact with belongings).
These changes come in response to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Between the 4th of July and last Saturday, when the new county order for everyone to mask while indoors went into effect, the daily number of coronavirus cases quadrupled.
“It’s been a shitty 15 months for everyone, especially businesses in hospitality and live venues.” Bar Henry in Echo Park said in a statement posted on Instagram last Sunday. “Let’s do what we can together to avoid taking steps backwards.”