MercBar, which is located on the Esplanade near 24th Street and Camelback Road, will be enforcing this rule starting August 24th.
PHOENIX – We saw the trend across the country and here in the Valley. Some bars and restaurants now require proof of vaccination in order to enter.
MercBar, located on the Esplanade near 24th Street and Camelback Road in Phoenix, will be enforcing this rule starting August 24th.
The bar’s owner, Rick Phillips, posted the information on social media to let customers know in advance.
The reactions are mixed.
“People commented ‘they’re dying’ and I was called a Nazi, like crazy stuff, right?” said Phillips.
RELATED: No, the CDC’s third dose recommendation does not include the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
But he said the majority of his customers supported him.
“On social media, I’d say it’s like a 6-to-1 ratio of people applauding us versus the haters.”
Since the Delta variant still exists, he recently decided to require proof of vaccination in order to enter. Phillips said you can physically show your card or bring up a picture on your phone.
“I like to be on the science side, I like to be on the caution side.”
Phillips said he wasn’t forcing anyone to get it, he was just setting guidelines for his own business.
“You don’t believe in it, you’re afraid science hasn’t cleared it up yet, I agree, don’t understand. But here, you need it.”
RELATED: More US Cities That Need Proof of Vaccination To Visit Places
When the bars closed at the height of the pandemic last year, Governor Doug Ducey said they could reopen when the positive percentage dropped to 3%. After months of progress, the positive percentage has risen again.
“Now the 7-day positivity rate is up about 9%, three times what the state had to mandate a few months ago.”
Phillips said he hoped those who weren’t vaccinated would return when something returns to normal.
“I’m not trying to control you, you can come back later like I’m not banishing you.”
He said he was all about peace, not politics.
“When people said, ‘We can’t patronize the bar right now’, [because of the vaccination rule] that would be a great response. But we don’t understand that, we have such a polarized country. “
COVID-19 news and updates
Subscribe to YouTube channel 12 News for the latest video notifications for the latest information on the coronavirus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries
[ad_2]
