LA city officials consider lifting COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees

Los Angeles city officials are considering rescinding a 2-year-old COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city employees.

City Council President Paul Krekorian and Councilmember Traci Park introduced a motion on Wednesday, Oct. 25, instructing the city administrative officer, in consultation with the city attorney, to report back on the feasibility, impacts and timeline of repealing a policy that requires current and future city employees to get their COVID-19 shots.

The motion, which comes nearly a month after the Los Angeles Unified School District ended its employee vaccine mandate, is endorsed by Mayor Karen Bass who, in a statement, said she supports a process started by the Executive Employee Relations Committee “to examine the safest way to lift vaccine mandates for city employees.

“We will remain vigilant as we work to ensure that our city employees are safe and healthy, and that Los Angeles City Hall continues to do the good work of the people of this city,” Bass said.

Krekorian also cited the work already underway by the employee relations committee and negotiations with unions representing city employees

“A well-considered plan for lifting the mandate will be thoroughly discussed in council, as it should be,” Krekorian said.

Park said the goal is to align city policy with those set by the federal and county governments and with LAUSD.

“With hospitalization rates remaining low and other COVID-era policies having sunset, we have entered a new phase of our pandemic recovery,” Park said. “We need a uniform strategy that eliminates public uncertainties. The evolving landscape necessitates a review and potential adjustment of our current policies.”

The city instituted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its employees in 2021.

But as the pandemic has evolved, policymakers at various levels of government have adjusted their policies. The Biden administration lifted its vaccination requirement for federal employees, and both Los Angeles County’s public health department and LAUSD have ended their vaccination and mask mandates, Park’s office noted in a news release.

The city of L.A. also stopped requiring proof of vaccination by February of this year for people entering public buildingsr, Park’s office noted.

Wednesday’s motion was seconded by Councilmembers Heather Hutt, Kevin de León, John Lee and Curren Price.