Could a vaccine mandate stop the COVID surge in LA? Supervisor Janice Hahn wants to find out

The LA County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to draft a report exploring how a vaccine mandate for certain indoor businesses — such as gyms, bars and restaurants — would work. LA County staff have two weeks to report back. Also within the next two weeks: All county employees will be required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly coronavirus testing.

“I just wanted to make sure that the public knows that we're looking at this. We're going to debate it. We're going to ask the tough questions. … I wanted my colleagues and I on the Board of Supervisors to be advised by our experts, if in fact, we choose to do this,” says LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn.

After multiple attempts to stop the spread of COVID, Hahn says it’s time to do what’s needed to keep people safe.

“We've done everything possible to get people vaccinated. They are safe, they are free, they're accessible. We will take this mobile [vaccination] van wherever you want,” she says. “But at some point, you realize that not enough people have gotten vaccinated for us to achieve this herd immunity, and we might have to try something a little bit stronger.”