Bay Area counties announce lockdown through April 7
Six Bay Area Counties — San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda — announced a “shelter in place” order. The lockdown, unveiled at a press conference earlier, starts at 12:01 AM Tuesday. It’s not a full lockdown, but it’s quite sweeping and strict nonetheless, as North California attempts to curb the exponential spread of COVID-19.
“There is no need to panic,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a press conference today, continuing a plea to cooler heads amid the pandemic.
The order will be in place through April 7. Breed added that the date could be adjusted, based on how things play out. “It could be amended to be lengthen or shortened,” she explained, “depending on advice from our public health members.”
Per the SF Chron, the included communities total more than 6.7 million people. The move follows previous city- and statewide bans on gatherings of more than 250 people, but takes a far more aggressive approach, banning travel via “foot, bicycle, scooter, automobile or public transit” that is deemed non-essential.
Exclusions include healthcare, purchasing “essential” supplies and aiding friends and family who require support. There’s also an exception for non-Bay Area residents looking to return home. Both airports and public transit will remain open under limited operation for essential travel, while requiring people to maintain a six foot “social distancing.”
Services like police, fire and garbage pickup will remain throughout the lockdown. Grocery stores, banks and gas stations will remain open to help residents pick up essential supplies. Bars and gyms will shut down, while restaurants will only be open for takeout.
An exemption will also be provided to for the tens of thousands of homeless people who reside in the Bay Area, though the city is recommending they seek lodging at a local shelter. Last week San Francisco announced a plan to deploy RVs across the city to quarantine homeless residents infected by the virus.
Six Bay Area Counties — San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda — announced a “shelter in place” order. The lockdown, unveiled at a press conference earlier, starts at 12:01 AM Tuesday. It’s not a full lockdown, but it’s quite sweeping and strict nonetheless, as North…
