Experiencing dining out in LA has changed now that some restaurants mandate proof of vaccination.

"Could I please see your proof of vaccination?"

I expected this request to come at an airport check-in or during customs and immigration while traveling internationally, not from a host at a local restaurant where my partner and I decided to stop for brunch last month.

With the delta variant triggering another concerning COVID-19 spike in Los Angeles, where I live, the county has implemented health orders that mandate wearing face masks in all indoor public spaces, including businesses.

According to the Los Angeles Times, numerous restaurants in the area are beginning to (or intend to) take these recommendations a step further by requesting customers to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test if they want to dine indoors. The dining platform Eater is already maintaining a list of LA restaurants that have these requirements in effect or plan to introduce them soon, with similar actions occurring in other major cities like New York City and Philadelphia.

A couple of weekends ago, I found myself searching for my phone, trying to locate the photo of my vaccination card from a few months back. I showed it to the host, and within moments, we were on our way to the table.

While everything about the dining experience that day felt fairly normal, upon later reflection, I realized my feelings were more complicated than I first believed.

Evidence confirmed.

I want to express that my overall impression of the new rules and how they were implemented in this case was quite positive.

It was comforting to know that everyone dining around me had either a recent negative test or was fully vaccinated. Although this doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of contracting COVID-19 during a simple meal, it certainly reduced the likelihood.

The host's approach in this instance was quite friendly. He calmly explained the rules, requested to see photos of our vaccination cards, checked our phones, and that was the end of it. No probing, no judgment, no hassle.

Mixed messages.

However, restaurants are likely to encounter several communication and procedural hurdles, alongside the challenges of managing dissatisfied customers.

To start, restaurants will need to inform potential diners about new policies through various channels. Some are posting their rules on their websites and updating their profiles on reservation platforms like OpenTable. Others are sending text reminders about the new requirements just before meals. Even so, confusion may arise regarding what proof is acceptable and where patrons can dine within a restaurant's premises.

Additionally, there will likely be confusion during the dining experience itself—what happens if you need to walk through the indoor area to reach the outdoor section? Will unvaccinated guests be allowed to do so? And what about those needing to use restrooms during meals? Mask mandates help mitigate some of these issues, but are restaurants really expecting their staff to enforce mask rules by stopping patrons who momentarily forget their mask while heading to the restroom?

Verification presents another significant challenge. While I displayed a photo of my actual vaccination card, for such rules to be effective, they would also need to verify the identity of the cardholder. I could easily have shown a photo of any vaccination card, perhaps one I had just screenshotted from the internet. On the flip side, the casual glance made me feel more at ease regarding privacy issues since the host could only discern my name and vaccination date, which he barely glanced at.

There's also the cost of having to take a test each time you want to dine out if you're unvaccinated. While it isn't the most daunting expense, it will likely deter many individuals. Perhaps that’s the intention behind it.

For now, I've chosen to dine only outdoors, so these new regulations might not greatly affect my experiences moving forward. However, if I happen to find an indoor table, I'm interested to see how everything unfolds.

A response from someone unvaccinated.

I spoke with an individual who remains unvaccinated not by choice, but because of a medical condition, about their plans if asked for proof of vaccination. "The government assumes everyone can safely get vaccinated," they stated. "I cannot. I’m cautious, wear a mask, and prefer to dine outdoors,".

"To my knowledge, there isn't an official waiver form available," they added. "I’m unsure if a notarized letter from my doctor would suffice. If I were told I couldn't dine, I would attempt to explain my situation." This places a considerable burden on them to disclose their medical history.

That said, they could opt for testing if they're willing to take the risk of dining indoors, or simply ensure they book outdoor seating. "I would choose—and do, since I can't be vaccinated—to eat outside," they mentioned.

Regarding testing, "I don't want to have to plan in advance (except for special occasions or restaurants requiring reservations) when I’m dining out and schedule a test accordingly. That feels unrealistic and takes away spontaneity," they expressed.

Of course, if you're aiming for an outdoor table, you'll likely need to book in advance anyway, so it’s unclear how much spontaneity will remain in this person's future dining experiences.

A restaurateur's viewpoint.

I also wanted to hear from a restaurant operator, so I reached out to Joel Dixon, president of the Rustic Canyon Family, which includes popular venues like Rustic Canyon, Cassia, and Birdie G's in LA.

Starting August 16, the restaurant group, which already mandates vaccination for its employees, will introduce its own policies for indoor dining. The new guidelines are as follows:

• Guests must present proof of full vaccination or a negative test taken within 72 hours of indoor dining.
• If you're unvaccinated or unable to provide a negative test result, outdoor dining is still an option.
• Accepted proof of vaccination can be a hard copy or photo of your vaccination card, an email or text confirmation of your vaccination, or the use of California's digital vaccine record.
• All guests, regardless of vaccination status or test results, will be required to wear masks indoors unless actively eating or drinking, and those who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated are also encouraged to wear masks outdoors.

To ensure everything runs smoothly, the restaurants have posted these new rules on their websites and shared them across social media. Dixon notes that guests making reservations for indoor dining through various booking platforms will receive SMS notifications about these guidelines.

Dixon explained that these new measures are designed to create a safe environment for both customers and staff. "With the rise in delta cases," he noted, "it's crucial to ensure that indoor dining is a safe space within our restaurants. By requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test result taken within 72 hours of dining, we believe this is the safest approach moving forward."

He dismissed concerns about people trying to circumvent the rules. "Many individuals who are anti-vaccine likely won’t go through the effort to falsify vaccination records just to eat at a place requiring proof," he said, "so I don't see it as a significant risk."

However, he does have some concerns about potential pushback from diners, stating, "Every time we implement something new, there's always the risk of customer backlash. We still face resistance over mask mandates... Whenever we introduce new policies, there's hesitation and apprehension, but I believe everyone understands it's essential for creating a safe environment for all."

Most importantly, and after the toughest time restaurants have experienced, Dixon emphasized that they are not trying to exclude anyone. "We're not aiming to keep anyone out. That's why we offer the testing option, allowing people to enjoy indoor dining safely. We just want to ensure a warm and welcoming atmosphere," he said.

And if everything else fails, he added, "We have wonderful outdoor dining spaces at all our restaurants where guests can enjoy themselves without any added pressure."

Key takeaways.

As with many aspects of the coronavirus, this situation is likely to remain fluid and difficult for a while. While restaurants work on developing and enforcing new regulations to protect their staff and customers, diners will need to decide whether to show their credentials for indoor dining. Some may feel more secure knowing that everyone has been vaccinated or tested recently, while others might prefer outdoor seating when possible. Personally, I've saved a photo of my vaccination card just in case I need it again. However, I intend to dine outside exclusively for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, that’s feasible year-round in LA, unlike in other cities where outdoor options may dwindle as summer ends.