In what’s easily the largest and toughest move against the spread of coronavirus outside of China and Italy, the entire US state of California – and all its 40 million residents – have been placed under mandatory lockdown orders by the state Governor this afternoon.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the tough mandate a short time ago, ordering all Californians to effectively “shelter in place” in their homes and limit social interactions as much as possible.
The state-wide announcement followed an earlier one from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who placed similar restrictions on the entire Los Angeles county, which counts some 10 million people as residents.
The statewide order also mandates the immediate closure of businesses that ordinarily attract social gathering, such as bars, dine-in restaurants, clubs, gyms, and associated athletic and fitness studios. Essential services, such as grocery stores and pharmacies, will remain open during the lockdown.
Governor Newsom addressed media following the announcement, asserting “It’s time for all of us to recognise, as individuals and as a community, we need to do more.”
California alone has recorded 958 cases of coronavirus, and Newsom stated that state projections predict as many as 25 million – or around 58% of the population, could contract it.
The lockdown order in Los Angeles County will remain in effect until at least April 19th, with affected businesses to remain closed throughout. A prior order prohibited any indoor gathering of larger than 10 people.
Governor Newsom has, get this, petitioned US President Donald Trump to install a temporary floating hospital off the Californian coastline that would exist to aid health care workers in the fight against coronavirus.
The US is being hit particularly hard by COVID-19, with a lack of available test kits sending confirmed cases soaring. The number of confirmed cases has doubled since Tuesday, and now sits somewhere above the 11,500 mark.
