March 29, 2024
Californians under home confinement as coronavirus spreads
SACRAMENTO – (INT) – Governor Gavin Newsom took the unprecedented action late Thursday of issuing a stay-at-home order for all Californians as the coronavirus outbreak surges.

Newsom said he hopes not to have to enforce the order, instead encouraging Californians to influence each other to do the right thing.

“I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement to home isolate, protect themselves,” he said.

More than a quarter of the state’s residents were already under some type of shelter in place or stay at home orders, including in Sacramento County. The dramatic measures are intended to slow transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 to spread the effect on the hospital system over time, a tactic that’s known as “flattening the curve.”

The order doesn’t prevent people from going outside, walking their dogs or picking up groceries and medicine.

If the state isn’t able to slow the virus’ spread with its social distancing measures, Newsom’s office projects that more than half of all Californians will be infected with the virus within eight weeks.

That would leave the state short about 19,543 hospital beds needed to treat the surge in COVID-19 patients, Newsom said Thursday.

Californians must cut out nonessential social and physical interactions to drive those numbers down, Newsom said.

California is the first state to enact a stay-at-home order.

What can I do? What’s open?

Essential services will remain open such as:

• Gas stations
• Pharmacies
• Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants
• Banks
• Laundromats/laundry services

Essential state and local government functions will also remain open, including law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services.

What’s closed?

• Dine-in restaurants
• Bars and nightclubs
• Entertainment venues
• Gyms and fitness studios
• Public events and gatherings
• Convention Centers

Where does this apply?

This is in effect throughout the State of California. For more information, visit https://covid19.ca.gov
Story Date: March 31, 2020
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