The city of San Francisco temporarily closed an In-N-Out fast-food restaurant over the company’s refusal to force customers to prove they are vaccinated against the coronavirus.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health closed the Fisherman’s Wharf In-N-Out location on Oct. 14 after the popular burger joint did not check the vaccination status of customers, which violates an August mandate from the city requiring indoor diners to show proof of vaccination.
In-N-Out, which operates 358 locations across the western United States, is owned by devout Christian Lynsi Snyder and is well known for including Bible verses at the bottom of soda and milkshake cups.
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“Our store properly and clearly posted signage to communicate local vaccination requirements,” In-N-Out Burger’s Chief Legal and Business Officer, Arnie Wensinger said in a statement to Fox News. “After closing our restaurant, local regulators informed us that our restaurant Associates must actively intervene by demanding proof of vaccination and photo identification from every Customer, then act as enforcement personnel by barring entry for any Customers without the proper documentation.”
“We refuse to become the vaccination police for any government,” Wensinger declared, slamming the San Francisco Department of Health’s requirements as “unreasonable, invasive, and unsafe” and accusing the city of asking restaurants to “segregate Customers” based on vaccine documentation.
“We fiercely disagree with any government dictate that forces a private company to discriminate against customers who choose to patronize their business,” the statement said. “This is clear governmental overreach and is intrusive, improper, and offensive.”
The store has since reopened, but indoor dining is not available.
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San Francisco Mayor London Breed speaks during a news conference outside of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital with essential workers to mark the one year anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdown on March 17, 2021 in San Francisco, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
In a statement to Fox News, the San Francisco Department of Health confirmed that the company was issued a notice of closure for the Fisherman’s Wharf location on Oct. 14 for “noncompliance with the Safer Return Together Health Order.” The department added that the company was warned multiple times before the closure notice was served.
“Vaccines remain our best tool to fight this disease and come out of the pandemic,” the statement said. “Vaccination is particularly important in a public indoor setting where groups of people are gathering and removing their masks, factors that make it easier for the virus to spread. That is why San Francisco requires proof of vaccination for indoor dining. “
