Governor orders California residents to stay home, stop spread
Stay at home, Governor Gavin Newsom told all Californians Thursday night, March 19.
In an address to the state, Newsom shared his executive order telling residents, including those in Lassen County, to stay at home, and only leave when necessary, like when getting food or going to the doctor.
“To protect public health, I as State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health order all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to maintain continuity of operations of the federal critical infrastructure sectors,” read Newsom’s order, which took effect Thursday night and does not have an end date.
Essential services, including food places like grocery stores, farmers markers, food banks, convenience stores, take-out ad delivery restaurants, pharmacies, gas stations, banks and Laundromat/ laundry services, will remain open. Other jobs, including those essential to critical infrastructure, like healthcare and public health, government facilities, emergency services and water remain open as well.
“The supply chain must continue, and Californians must have access to such necessities as food, prescriptions and health care. When people need to leave their homes or places of residence, whether to obtain or perform the functions above, or to otherwise facilitate authorized necessary activities, they should at all times practice social distancing,” read the order.
“We’re going to keep the grocery stores open,” Newsom said during his address. “We’re going to make sure that you’re getting critical medical supplies. You can still take your kids outside, practicing common sense and social distancing. You can still walk your dog.”
In a letter to President Donald Trump requesting the a hospital ship, Newsom projected about 56 percent of the state’s population could be infected throughout an eight-week period if there were no mitigation efforts in place.
