Business Groups Express Concern About Mask Mandate

Five area business groups have sent a letter of concern to the Public Health Department of Los Angeles County saying the recent abrupt reimposition of the mask mandate was burdensome to businesses and may disincentive the unvaccinated from getting the jab.The letter stated the mask mandate, imposed more than a week ago, “was announced mere days before it was to take effect, with no opportunity for input or warning for the business community.” It left Los Angeles County’s “hundreds of thousands of businesses unsure of regulations, with very little time to plan, prepare or develop strategies for the implementation of this new policy.“Businesses were left with less than 48 hours to buy signage and change protocols for staff and customers. For many businesses in the county, the new mandate is sparking confusion – and potentially violent pushback – from customers.”The letter, dated July 23, was sent by the Valley Industry and Commerce Association along with the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Central City Association, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the United Chambers of Commerce. It was sent to the health department and the members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.There has been no response yet.The letter stated that about 99 percent of the recent COVID-19 cases are among unvaccinated persons. The letter said: “We are concerned that this mask mandate will have a negative effect on these critical vaccination efforts, as it disincentivizes vaccination for the almost 40 percent of eligible, unvaccinated residents.”It also pointed out that the health department’s mandate puts it at odds with state and federal guidance, which recommend that vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks in most settings.“We urge you to develop an outreach strategy and clear requirements for businesses well in advance of any upcoming changes to pandemic response policy,” the letter stated.“Please take your time to work with businesses that these mandates impact – the businesses who are struggling to recover from the first lockdown. Our county’s businesses cannot sustain additional closures, and we are very concerned that without feedback, the county will continue to force rushed policies with little notice.”