Extra San Francisco companies are requiring proof of vaccination. Here is what you must know.
Do all restaurants and bars in the Bay Area check vaccination cards before entering the country?
No, but there are a number of companies that recently decided to require proof of vaccination, which the San Francisco Chronicle’s food division tracked on sfchronicle.com. (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently.) Since requirements may be met or missed right now, it is always a good idea to check with the company prior to your arrival or when making a reservation To avoid problems when you get to the door.
How do companies check vaccinations?
It depends on the company, but most have an employee who checks vaccination cards on the doorstep, be it physical or digital. Bars that require proof of vaccination, for example, ask bouncers to check customers’ vaccination status along with ID. Other venues, such as PianoFight in San Francisco, have their cashiers checked for vaccination cards and accept tickets for shows, separate from ID checks. Be ready to show evidence as you approach the entrance.
What do most places accept as proof of vaccination?
Most places don’t require an original vaccination card, and even some of those who previously required physical ID have now relaxed their guidelines and are ready to accept other forms of verification. (Also, getting another physical vaccination card is quite a process. If not strictly necessary, leave the original at home.) To cover your basics, having a photo of your vaccination card on your cell phone is a great first choice begin.
Another way to explore is to visit the state’s digital COVID-19 vaccination log site at myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov for a digital copy of your vaccination card and QR code. The website asks people to enter their name, date of birth and the email or telephone number attached to the vaccination certificate, and to choose a personal four-digit PIN. As soon as your data has been compared with your vaccination record, you will receive a text or email link to view your documents.
As soon as you click on the link and enter your self-selected PIN, you can view your data record, which contains your name, your date of birth, vaccine information (manufacturer name and date of the dose / doses) and the scannable QR code. You have the option of saving the recordings on your smartphone, which can then be shown to companies that accept this as proof of vaccination. However, if you have been vaccinated outside of California, you will not be able to access your records through this portal.
Other suggestions for proof of vaccination go so far as to recommend a photocopy of your vaccination card to take with you, but the options above will most likely work.
Another option that you as a customer can choose if you cannot be vaccinated for medical or other reasons is the question of whether a negative COVID test within the last 72 hours could be sufficient for entry. This can vary from business to business, but it doesn’t hurt to check beforehand that this is the case.
What if the state vaccination center isn’t working? What do i do then?
There have been a few instances where the California Department of Health’s digital vaccine site for people who have been vaccinated is not working properly. There is a troubleshooting system in place in case this happens, but it could take time for the state to fix the problem, the San Francisco Chronicle recently reported. It’s best to log into the California digital vaccination card website before your event in case you have a problem.
However, this does not mean that you will not have access to the bars and restaurants that require a vaccination card. If you’re having trouble getting your digital vaccination cards, contact the venue to see if another form of verification works.
If I am not vaccinated, can I not go to restaurants or bars that require a vaccination card?
Mostly yes, but some places allow unvaccinated guests outside. Call ahead to be on the safe side.
If I am vaccinated and show proof, do I still have to bring a mask?
When vaccinated, you technically don’t need to wear a mask indoors, depending on company rules, although most Bay Area counties now recommend wearing masks in public spaces due to the highly contagious Delta variant. Even if you are sitting in an outdoor bar or restaurant, you may need to put a mask on when using the toilet. (If you are not vaccinated, you must wear a mask in indoor public spaces and shops.) Regardless of the rules, however, it doesn’t hurt to have a mask with you if you need one.
SFGATE news editor Amy Graff contributed to this report.
