Contra Costa Drops Vaccine Mandate for Businesses

Contra Costa County will no longer require businesses like gyms and restaurants to check patrons’ vaccination status. The county health department pointed to an 80% vaccination rate in the county.

“We believe now is the right time to loosen a requirement that made a lot of sense last summer, when a different variant of COVID-19 was dominant and there was less community immunity," said acting Contra Costa County health officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli in a statement. "But by no means are we back to normal. There are still many more cases of COVID-19 in our community now than there were in mid-December, so we need to continue to take precautions when we go out."

"We deeply appreciate everyone who has chosen to vaccinate. You have made yourselves, your loved ones, and the entire community safer," Contra Costa Health Director Anna Roth added. "If you are eligible and you have not gotten your booster, it is really important that you get one. People who get boosted are significantly safer from serious COVID-19."

According to CCHS, residents who received booster doses are more than three times less likely to become infected. Boosters also appear to be about nine times more effective at preventing hospitalization due to the virus.