San Francisco and its surrounding areas are now on lockdown due to the coronavirus.
What We Know:
- On Monday, San Francisco Mayor, London Breed, released a public health order that requires all residents to stay at home except in instances of “essential” need to slow the progression of the virus.
- “We know these measures will significantly disrupt people’s day to day lives, but they are absolutely necessary,” Breed said in a statement, according to NBC Bay Area. “This is going to be a defining moment for our City and we all have a responsibility to do our part to protect our neighbors and slow the spread of this virus by staying at home unless it is absolutely essential to go outside. I want to encourage everyone to remain calm and emphasize that all essential needs will continue to be met. San Francisco has overcome big challenges before and we will do it again, together.”
- The order will only allow people to go to pharmacies, grocery stores, banks, and to get gas. Even then, they are required to keep a 6 feet distance from people who are not in their household.
- Restaurants will still be open with residents being able to have take-out and delivery only. Non-essentials such as bars and gyms will be closed.
- San Francisco Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax stated that the agreement was reached by health officers in the six counties as the best approach to halt the spread of the disease. Although residents must now stay at home, Colfax said they could still walk their dogs or go on walks granted they stay the minimum of six feet away from others.
- “The evidence tells us that now is the time to implement this step,” Colfax told NBC Bay Area. “Based on what we can predict, now is the time to do everything we can to prevent the situation from getting much worse in a matter of days or weeks. Every hour counts.”
- He also stated that residents can not overwhelm hospitals and urgent care facilities for non-essential reasons.
- “Please do not go to urgent care or emergency rooms for COVID-19 testing or non-emergency needs. Do not overwhelm the health care system or the emergency response systems at this time. We need these services to care for those who are seriously ill,” Colfax told the news outlet. “If you are otherwise sick or concerned that you may have coronavirus, please contact your health care provider.”
- The order went into effect Tuesday at midnight and will run through at least April 7. Homeless residents are exempt from the order but are being instructed to seek shelter.
New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, said Tuesday morning that he is also strongly considering issuing a “shelter in place” order for all city residents as the coronavirus outbreak continues to grow.
