SAN FRANCISCO — Officials in six San Francisco Bay Area counties issued a shelter-in-place mandate Monday affecting nearly 7 million people, including the city of San Francisco itself.
The order says residents must stay inside and venture out only for necessities for three weeks starting Tuesday in a desperate attempt by officials to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
If affects the counties of San Francisco, Marin, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa, as well as the city of Berkeley.
“It’s the new normal temporarily to protect public health,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said at a news conference. “These measures will be disruptive to day to day life, but there is no need to panic.”
People should work from home unless they provide essential services, such as public safety, sanitation and medical services. Pharmacies and banks will remain open. Restaurants will be open only for take-out, Breed said.
The dramatic step came as officials across California took increasingly strident steps to separate people and contain the spread of coronavirus, prompting millions of the state’s oldest and youngest residents to stay home Monday.
Freeways normally jammed with rush hour drivers flowed freely, and Starbucks’ shift to take-out only was apparent at locations where tables were removed and drive-through lanes were busy.
Long lines persisted at some grocery stores despite despite officials saying there’s no need to hoard supplies.
Responding to panic buying that has stripped supermarkets, executives of major grocery chains said at Los Angeles press conference there is no food shortage, supply chains are in good shape and clerks are working in the middle of the night to restock shelves and clean.
“There is plenty of product,” said Bryan Kaltenbach, president of Kroger’s Food 4 Less.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday urged the state’s 5.3 million people who are 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions to isolate to protect themselves from the virus. He also called for all bars, wineries, nightclubs and brewpubs to close.
Last week, Newsom recommended all nonessential gatherings be limited to 250 people, prompting the temporary closure of numerous businesses, performances and meetings, though many local communities took a more aggressive stance.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered restaurants to only offer pickup, delivery and drive-through service. He also closed gyms, movie theaters, bowling alleys and arcades.
“We need to take these steps to protect our city right now,” he said.
Newsom said an estimated 85% of California’s 6 million public school students will be out of their classrooms this week. The length of time varies by district, with some canceling classes for up to five weeks.
Newsom said he recognized the increasing isolation for millions of Californians is “anxiety-inducing” but said the moves were necessary to protect the state’s most vulnerable residents.
The rapid pace of new restrictions caught people and institutions off guard.
At the Chimney Coffee House in Los Angeles, barista Rachel Cauilan filled the day’s first UberEats order. “One guy came in and he wanted to talk and stay but we had to kick him out,” she laughed.
In San Diego, the Superior Court hastily advised people summoned for jury duty but not already sitting on cases to not report Monday.
Near San Diego State University, Will Remsbottom’s Scrimshaw Coffee had just three people and one was washing windows. “I’m just struggling with this moral conundrum of remaining open and being a potential spreader versus closing and not being able to pay my employees,” he said.
In Orange County, an elderly couple wearing face masks walked out of a supermarket with a full cart. A moment later, a woman walked briskly toward the store, asking if there was any toilet paper inside. There wasn’t.
Robert Murillo’s younger daughter turned 4 on Sunday, but the family stayed home and ate cupcakes. “We made the best with what we had,” he said. “They’re still at the age that blowing a balloon makes their day, so thank God for that.”
California has confirmed at least 335 cases of the virus and six deaths. The virus usually causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, but can be deadly for older people and those with underlying health conditions.
Many districts are arranging for meal pickups for children who depend on schools for breakfast and lunch. Many college students also are back home as their colleges and universities empty their dormitories and move classes online.
In another effort to keep people separated, state health officials on Saturday urged movie theaters to keep attendance under 250 and ask strangers to sit 6 feet (2 meters) apart. Gambling venues were told to limit 250 people per room and clean chips and slot machines more frequently, while theme parks and attractions were told to thin out crowds by staggering attendance.
Meanwhile, California is working with Verily, the life sciences arm of Google parent company Alphabet, on a tool to help people find coronavirus testing and help people determine whether they need to be tested.
The state has increased the number of available hospital beds and will be reopening shuttered medical centers in the coming days. Newsom said he was pushing to move many of the state’s 108,000 homeless people indoors, using motels and 450 state-owned trailers set up before the outbreak.
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AP reporters Amy Taxin in Orange County, Julie Watson in San Diego and John Antczak in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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