| By Carolyn Wooddall |
In a statewide address made Thursday night, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered all residents to ‘stay at home’ amid a coronavirus outbreak. This order is in place until further notice. According to the California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health, there are exceptions for people working in 16 federal critical infrastructure sectors such as emergency services, energy, food, and agriculture. Essential state and local governments will also remain open, including law enforcement and offices providing government programs and services.
Other essential services will remain open such as gas stations, pharmacies, banks, laundromats/laundry services, and food services including grocery stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, convenience stores, and take-out/delivery restaurants.
During the press conference, Governor Newsom stated that the decision was made “based upon some new information” and projections that came in from Johns Hopkins University. He also stated that “it’s not just time to absorb and recognize that we need to change our behaviors in a way that meets this moment and allows a recognition that this moment will pass.” Businesses that must close include dine-in restaurants, bars & nightclubs, entertainment venues, gyms & fitness studios, public events and gatherings, and convention centers.
Those that work in critical sectors should go to work. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and more will stay open,” Newsom tweeted. “We need to meet this moment and flatten the curve together.”Law enforcement will not arrest violators, Newsom said in a news conference today.”I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement that it’s appropriate just to home isolate, protect themselves,” he told reporters. The governor said the order is open-ended. “This is a dynamic situation,” Newsom said. It comes as the number of cases in California and the United States skyrocket.
The number of reports of nationwide positive tests nationwide has gone from a few thousand on Sunday to more than 16,000 as more people are infected and more people with Covid-19 find out through testing they have the disease. Luckily Solvang does not have any confirmed case.
According to the Governor’s latest order, all businesses will be closed except essential businesses include grocery stores, food banks, and outdoor farmers markets; schools and child care; businesses that provide food, shelter, social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged people; gas stations; banks and financial institutions; hardware stores; plumbers and electricians; healthcare operators and facilities; transportation services; and residential facilities have to remain open.