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In a move mirroring much of the global community’s response to coronavirus, Governor of California — America’s most populous state — has ordered all citizens to stay at home unless absolutely necessary during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Per the BBC, Newsom believes up to half of California’s 40 million citizens could be at risk of contracting the virus, and is attempting to minimize harm as much as possible.
“This is a moment we need to make tough decisions,” Newsom said in a statement. “We need to recognize reality.” The BBC notes that Newsom’s definition of essential movement includes buying groceries and medicine and walking a dog or doing exercise, but does not include social interaction or the like. Citizens in San Francisco had already been subject to these kinds of restrictions. Read about the California lockdown here.