California Issues Statewide Stay-At-Home Order

Governor Newsom of California issued a statewide stay at home order today to help combat the spread of the coronavirus.
The order is effective immediately and asks residents to leave their homes only when necessary.

The governor’s order comes after 19 people have died and an additional 958 have tested positive for the disease. It follows an order from Los Angeles County and city officials issued Thursday that requires all indoor malls, shopping centers, playgrounds and non-essential retail businesses to close and prohibits gathering in enclosed spaces of more than 10 people.

Officials hope telling people to remain in their homes and restrict social interactions will slow the spread of the virus and ultimately prevent hospitals from being overrun with sick patients. The request for all residents to stay at home marks the strongest escalation of the Newsom administration’s response to the virus.

Newsom said the statewide order is consistent with the local orders. Places like grocery and convenience stores, delivery restaurants, gas stations, pharmacies, banks and laundromats will remain open.
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The goal is to encourage "social distancing," which is something health experts have stressed can slow the spread of the disease and keep health systems from being overwhelmed.