KPBS: Reopen San Diego Urges Restaurant Owners Say No To Vaccine Policies

Friday, July 30, 2021

By Alexandra Rangel

Above: Reopen San Diego holds rally outside of San Diego City Hall on July 30, 2021

Reopen San Diego is a local group advocating for the full reopening of schools and businesses. It’s now asking restaurants to adopt their proclamation.

Supporters rallied outside of City Hall on Friday, asking businesses not to discriminate against unvaccinated customers.

Restaurant owner Alondra Ruiz says everyone is welcomed at her restaurant regardless of vaccine status. She’s urging other restaurants to do the same.

“No business, no politician, nor the government has any business requiring or pushing the agenda for vaccination identification,” said Ruiz, who owns The Village restaurant.

Jerry Sanders, president of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, said he’s in favor of asking workers for vaccine verification.

“We know that this can still be very deadly with people who have not been vaccinated,” he said. “I don’t think it’s too much to ask someone to wear a mask.”

As of now, there are no county-wide vaccine mandates. San Diego County said it would require vaccine verification for its employees starting mid-August.

Those who are unvaccinated will have to undergo weekly testing.

The county is the latest to adopt a vaccine policy, with universities and other businesses following suit.