Mar 20, 2020 - Politics & Policy

California Gov. Newsom issues statewide stay-at-home order

Ursula Perano

Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Nearly 40 million people in California are now required to a stay at home to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to a Thursday evening order from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Why it matters: This is the first statewide order of its kind in the U.S. since the coronavirus outbreak began.

Where it stands: Newsom announced the order late Thursday, less than an hour after Los Angeles County officials ordered people to remain at home. Multiple counties in the San Francisco Bay Area issued similar orders in recent days.

  • The order essentially mandates all California residents to remain in their homes and forces non-essential businesses to close.
  • Groceries and convenience stores, restaurants that offer delivery, gas stations, pharmacies, banks and laundromats will remain open.

What to watch: "The order is in place until further notice," per a statement.

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North Carolina becomes latest state to issue coronavirus stay-at-home order

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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statewide stay-at-home order on Friday to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, with exemptions for certain essential workers and businesses. The order goes into effect Monday at 5 p.m.

The big picture: This is the latest state to announce policies to enforce social distancing. More than 1.5 billion people worldwide were asked to stay home Monday.

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New York City and L.A. to close all bars and restaurants

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New York City and Los Angeles both announced plans Sunday night to close all bars, restaurants and entertainment venues in an effort to curb the novel coronavirus spread.

The big picture: L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said restaurants "may sell food for takeout only," with the measures "effective at midnight tonight" L.A. time. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said only pick-up and delivery would be allowed from restaurants. NYC announced earlier it would begin closing its nearly 1,900 public schools this week through April 20 as it reported 329 coronavirus cases. Los Angeles County had reported 69 cases and one death by Sunday night.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include measures in Los Angeles.

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U.S. coronavirus cases top 1,000 as states scramble to curb the spread

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The number of cases of the novel coronavirus in the U.S. soared to 1,037 and the death toll to at least 31 by early Wednesday, per data from Johns Hopkins and state health departments.

The big picture: Nearly 40 states had reported cases by Tuesday and at least 12 have declared a state of emergency — Washington, California, New York, Oregon, Kentucky, Maryland, Utah, Colorado, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Florida and Michigan — which reported its first two cases on Tuesday evening.

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