GOV. NEWSOM ORDERS ALL CALIFORNIANS TO SHELTER AT HOME

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Gov. Gavin Newsom issues stay-at-home order

Photo via Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association: screenshot of Gov. Newsom announcing statewide stay-at-home order

View the Governor's full speech

March 19, 2020 (Sacamento) -- Gov. Gavin Newsom tonight ordered all Californians to stay at home to stop the spread of coronavirus across the state. Only companies providing essential services may remain open.

He issued the statewide order after public health experts estimated that as many as 25 million Californians will be infected by the virus within two months, making it critical to stop the growth now.

While most will recover and some won't have symptoms, up to 20,000 would likely be hospitalized if nothing is done. That's double the 10,000 bed surge capacity of hospitals statewide, though the state is requisitioning faciliities to fill the gap and working with the private sector to increase the supply of ventilators, which the federal government has failed to provide.

So far, Califorrnia has had 675 cases and 16 people have died as of early this afternoon.

The order doesn’t have an expiration, but Newsom said it will likely last at least eight weeks. “I don’t expect this will be many, many months,” he assured. The governor said he expects residents to follow the order without the threat of law enforcement.

 

What can I do? What’s open?

Updated with information from 10 News, ECM's news partner:

Essential services will remain open such as:

  • Gas stations, auto supply and auto repairs
  • Pharmacies 
  • Legal cannabis dispensaries
  • Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants 
  • Pet supply stores and veterinarians
  • Banks
  • Professional services
  • Construction including homebuilding
  • Laundromats and laundry services
  • Media
  • Airlines and tax services
  • Mailing and shipping services
  • Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, safety and sanitation services
  • Hardware stores selling safety, sanitation and basic home items
  • Homeless and social services
  • Utilities
  • Garbage pickup
  • Public transit including trolley, train and bus service
  • Home-based care giiving
  • Childcare in groups of 10 children or less, with same group each day
  • Some county parks with trails, though playgrounds, recreation centers and activities are cancelled
  • Education institutions providing virtual learning online

Here are more details on the critical infrastruture industries that will remain open:  https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19

The Governor clarified in his press conference that people can also go outside to walk dogs or get exercise, provided social distance of six feet is maintained from any other people.

What’s closed?

  • Dine-in restaurants
  • Bars and nightclubs
  • Entertainment venues
  • Gyms and fitness studios
  • Public events and gatherings
  • Convention Centers
  • Shopping malls
  • Casinos
  • Playgrounds at county parks, though some parks with trails remain open

 

Read the full Executive Order here (pdf). Revised version here:  https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/  More information:  https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/ 

The statewide order comes after 17 California counties already ordered residents to shelter in place or shelter at home.


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