While the official word from the State of California is that proof of vaccination for COVID-19 – what some have termed “vaccination passports” – won’t be required by the government, guidance from the state is encouraging private entities to screen for vaccinations.
In an official statement sent to the Northern California Record, the California Department of Public Health hedged around the subject of whether proof of vaccination will be made a requirement to enter any buildings or attend any events.
“The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is looking at efforts underway both domestically and internationally to learn from others’ experiences, and is in communication with the federal government on their plans regarding federal standards,” the statement said. “Additionally, CDPH is actively assessing the appropriate equitable, ethical and privacy considerations for standards for COVID-19 vaccine or test verification/credentials that are provided digitally.”
At the same time, the department furnished the Record with a link to guidance for public and private entities.
“In order for private event operators to increase capacity limitations based on 100% testing or proof of full vaccination for all attendees, they must have the ability to verify testing or vaccination status,” guidance from the department said. “Attendance at private venue and events shall be limited according to the County Risk Level."
Official guidance from the department also lays out the difference between the types of activities those who have been vaccinated are OK to participate in, versus those who are not considered fully-vaccinated.
The Los Angeles Times recently reported on the CDPH’s guidance, and how some feel it requires what are essentially vaccination passports, but avoids terminology that might spur opposition.
“Of course, it is a form of a vaccine passport,” Dr. John Swartzberg, a UC Berkeley infectious-disease expert, was quoted as saying by the L.A. Times. “What is happening to vaccine passports is the same thing that happened with masks. It has become politicized, and that is really just unfortunate.”