New In-N-Out Closure Due to Covid-19 Violations
San Francisco Public Health forced an In-N-Out location to close after violations against mandatory vaccine checks, a requirement to enter indoor restaurants, bars, or public facilities.
The beloved fast-food chain is located in Fisherman’s Wharf, a heavily populated tourist area. The reasoning behind In-N-Out’s inaction with vaccine checks is because they refuse to “discriminate against customers who choose to patronize their business.”
In-N-Out Chief Legal and Business Officer Arnie Wensinger commented, “We refuse to become the vaccination police for any government…This is a clear government overreach.”
However, this is not the only warning they received from the health department. The Public Health Department informed In-N-Out multiple times and included directions for the chain to follow. Each time, In-N-Out employees failed to follow the rules leading to a final Notice of Violation and a Notice of Closure.
Pretty interesting that at a time a large swath of corporate America implements vaccine mandates, In-N-Out’s chief legal and business officer goes on the record with:
— Eric Ting (@_ericting) October 19, 2021
“We refuse to become the vaccination police for any government.”
https://t.co/Esvphgnoql
Wensinger also adds that requiring employees to check customers’ vaccine information is unreasonable and unsafe. Another restaurant in New York shared their experience in September about a group of Texan tourists assaulting a hostess who asked for their vaccine and questioned the validity.
Other restaurants have also experienced pushback from the vaccine information requirements. A survey hosted by the Golden Gate Restaurant Association reported 60% of San Francisco restaurants experienced a decline in business since the vaccine mandate for dining. The San Francisco Chronicle reports 52% of restaurants had at least one employee conflict with a customer while checking their vaccine information.
Restaurants can still operate with outdoor seating. But, with winter coming in, the likelihood of customers sitting outside is dim. However, there are still take-out options, which most restaurant-goers complain takes away the whole restaurant experience. Take-out options also drive the price for restaurant supplies up as they have to invest more in to-go inventory. Nevertheless, there is still the option of being vaccinated and enjoying the dining experience inside, away from the cold.
Pros and cons are weighing for this new way of living during the pandemic. But, let’s not forget our privilege in having access to vaccines or the luxury of having advanced technology such as rapid testing to keep us safe from extreme measures of Covid-19. Some countries are struggling with the virus, and they don’t have access to vaccines. However, the choice is up to you.
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