It’s not unusual to be given a wrist band when you head to a bar or music venue.
But one local favorite on the South Coast has introduced wrist-bands for entry for those who have a negative COVID test or vaccination certificate – as a way to reopen and get people back dancing again.
Line dancers and two-steppers are showing off their moves on the dance-floor of the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills.
They’re masked. Each one is wearing a wrist band – not just to indicate they’re over 21 – but another to indicate they’ve shown proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test.
The venue has recently restarted its Wednesday night country night – a fixture that was originally held at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, until the mass shooting there in November 2018.
Ellis Green from the Canyon Club says it’s been a process to find a way to reopen the live music venue.
"We've set the room up so that everyone's separated, if they've had a negative COVID test or a vaccination," he explained to KCLU.
"Being closed for a year, obviously that hurt a lot of people. The opportunity to be back and have live music is pretty good.
"It's a little different but once we went through everything and set up the procedures, it's pretty good."
For many of those waiting in line to get in, it’s the first opportunity to go dancing since the pandemic closed down venues.
"It feels nice, just going out with the girls," said Kara Freeman from Thousand Oaks.
"I'm looking forward to some sense of normalcy. I've had the vaccine and I'm ready to still be safe, but get out a little bit," Molly Neubert from Agoura Hills told KCLU.
They’re not yet able to restart the lessons but it’s hopefully a two-step in the right direction.
