In-N-Out Burger announces it will not follow San Francisco vaccine mandate

In-N-Out Burger has reopened after being shut down last week over its refusal to enforce San Francisco’s vaccine mandate, telling the city that “we refuse to become the vaccination police.”

The San Francisco health department closed Thursday the restaurants Fisherman’s Wharf location, the only one in the city by the Bay, over its failure to verify the COVID-19 vaccination status of customers before allowing them entry. This is currently a city order. In-N-Out chief legal and business officer Arnie Wensinger said that the location had “properly and clearly posted signage to communicate local vaccination requirements,” but drew the line at monitoring customers. “We refuse to become the vaccination police for any government,” said Mr. Wensinger in a statement on KPIX-TV.

“It is unreasonable, invasive, and unsafe to force our restaurant associates to segregate customers into those who may be served and those who may not, whether based on the documentation they carry, or any other reason.” The statement continued: “We fiercely disagree with any government dictate that forces a private company to discriminate against customers who choose to patronize their business. This is clear governmental overreach and is intrusive, improper, and offensive.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that it is less safe to dine in restaurants with indoor settings, particularly in areas with substantial or high coronavirus transmission rates, such as San Francisco.