California health officials have ordered the closure of an In-N-Out restaurant in the Bay Area for failing to comply with the state's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for indoor customers. This is the second In-N-Out outlet in the state that has been forced to close down.

The shutdown is the latest salvo in a feud between the fast-food chain and public health authorities in the San Francisco Bay Area, who have adopted some of the state's strongest COVID-19 laws. For companies and restaurants in the city of Los Angeles, similar rules for evidence of vaccination are slated to take effect on Nov. 8.

Contra Costa Health Services said the In-N-Out Burger located at 570 Contra Costa Blvd. in Pleasant Hill was ordered to close due to continuous violations of county laws.

In a statement, In-N-chief Out's legal and business officer, Arnie Wensinger, slammed the public health laws, calling them invasive to private enterprises. Wensinger said in a previous statement that the company refuses to become the "vaccination police" for the government.

The shutdown comes only 12 days after another San Francisco In-N-Out Burger outlet was forced to close due to a municipal regulation requiring indoor diners to show evidence of COVID-19 vaccination. The restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf has now reopened, but solely for outdoor dining and takeout orders.

 

The anticipated crackdown in Los Angeles might be a key test of the In-N-Out Burger chain's opposition to vaccine mandates. The company has at least 16 outlets in California, most of which are in the San Fernando Valley.

The City Council of Los Angeles enacted a law earlier this month that requires establishments to ask for evidence of vaccination before customers are allowed to eat indoors or visit shopping malls, movie theaters, and other indoor facilities. Businesses that do not comply with the law face increased fines.

Contra Costa County officials claimed they offered the In-N-Out in Pleasant Hill plenty of chances to comply, but it created a public health hazard by "repeatedly breaching" the county order. Contra Costa County is located east of San Francisco and Oakland.

Since Sept. 22, restaurants and several other indoor facilities have been required to certify that all clients aged 12 and up are completely vaccinated against COVID-19 or have had a negative coronavirus test within the last 72 hours.

Officials claimed the Pleasant Hill In-N-Out Burger outlet had received four citations for breaching the order. It was also asked to pay fines totaling $1,750.