People visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco, California, the United States, March 13, 2021. San Francisco has advanced from the purple tier to the less restrictive red tier in COVID-19 control.Photo:Xinhua

San Francisco is poised to become the first US city to demand proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 to access indoor dining, as well as entertainment venues.

Bars, restaurants, night clubs, theaters, fitness centers, and other establishments in this large Californian city will require visitors to present vaccination certificates to enter starting August 20. For staff, the measure will take effect in October. "Why are we doing this? It's to protect the workers, it's to protect kids, it's to protect those who can't get vaccinated," Mayor London Breed said at a press conference.

She added, "We know that for our city to bounce back from the pandemic and thrive, we need to use the best method we have to fight COVID-19 and that's vaccines."

The rule will not affect children under 12 as they are not eligible for immunization in the United States.

Currently 77 percent of San Francisco's nearly 900,000 residents have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 71 percent are fully vaccinated

White House pandemic response coordinator Jeff Zients on August 12 spoke in favor of vaccination requirements, saying they are gaining momentum across the country.

"They will help keep people and communities safe and help stop the spread of the virus," Zients said at a press briefing at the White House.

New York announced a similar vaccine mandate, requiring proof of at least one COVID-19 shot for indoor dining and entertainment. The measure will take effect in September. New Orleans, a popular tourist city in the state of Louisiana, is also expected to announce a vaccine mandate for indoor dining and sports activities, according to NOLA.com, a local media outlet.

AFP