Huntington Beach, California, Votes to Lift COVID-19 Mask and Vaccine Mandates
In a recent decision, the City of Huntington Beach, California, has chosen to remove universal mask and vaccine mandates for COVID-19. The proposal was put forward by Mayor Pro Tem Gracey Van Der Mark and was featured on the city’s Tuesday agenda.
Van Der Mark expressed her concern that the mask mandates in the city were unnecessarily restricting the freedom of its citizens, even those who had no contact with COVID-19-positive individuals or any exposure risk.
The city council voted on the declaration, with a close 4-3 decision, adjourning around 2:48 a.m. It’s important to note that this ban applies to city officials and not private businesses.
The motion behind this decision emphasizes that individuals, whether in City Hall or the private sector, should have the right to choose whether they want to wear masks or receive vaccinations or boosters.
This move comes at a time when Huntington Beach is experiencing a slight increase in COVID-19 cases, a trend that’s also evident in the wider region.
Huntington Beach, situated about an hour’s drive south of Los Angeles, has been known for its resistance to statewide mask mandates throughout the pandemic, often opposing the stringent measures imposed by the state.
In broader terms, the city has long been a stronghold for conservatives who have concerns extending beyond the state’s handling of the pandemic.
The decision represents the city’s stance on personal freedom and choice when it comes to COVID-19 precautions.
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