Thread by @BusinessInsider

Business owners nationwide are beginning to require customers to show proof of vaccination.

No, this isn’t a HIPAA violation.

businessinsider.com/business-owner…

HIPAA, the Health and Portability Accountability Act of 1996, is a healthcare privacy law and thus only applies to entities within the healthcare field, such as medical professionals. It does not prohibit asking questions about someone's health.

businessinsider.com/vaccine-proof-…

Angry customers threatened to spit on and cough at front door staff at The Alembic, a bar in San Francisco, after being asked to show proof of vaccination.

But the owner said the decision was made to keep her staff safe from infection.

businessinsider.com/business-owner…

COVID-19 cases are rising due to the highly-contagious Delta variant.

The CDC is not requiring citizens get a vaccine, but recently recommended all individuals — regardless of vaccination status — wear masks in areas with high transmission.

businessinsider.com/business-owner…

The pushback business owners are facing with vaccine checks parallels the anger over mask wearing last year. In 2020, some store workers dealt with violence and harassment when asking customers to wear masks.

businessinsider.com/walmart-wont-e…

Despite some criticism, business owners said the overwhelming majority of people applauded them for requiring vaccines upon entry.

businessinsider.com/business-owner…

Brick Street in Oxford, Ohio, will begin requiring vaccine proof on August 18.

Patrons can enter only after showing a vaccine card, a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours, or a positive antibody test.

businessinsider.com/business-owner…

Grendel's Den Restaurant and Bar in Cambridge, Massachusetts first required proof of vaccination when the restaurant was over 50% capacity.

With the Delta variant spread, Grendel’s is now asking to see a vaccine card before indoor entry at all times.

businessinsider.com/6-ft-social-di…

Martha, a restaurant in Philadelphia, started checking vaccine cards after fully vaccinated workers at a neighboring bar got COVID.

The owner said this would protect her staff, many of whom will not qualify for unemployment in another lockdown.

businessinsider.com/half-of-people…