California under "Stay at Home" lockdown

The state of California is essentially under lockdown.

Gov. Gavin Newson on Thursday issued a “stay-at-home” order for the Golden State’s 39.5 million residents in an effort to curb the coronavirus outbreak.

“This is a moment we need to make tough decisions,” Newsom said. “We need to recognize reality.”

The order goes into effect Thursday night and asks residents not to leave their homes except when necessary. People can still go out for walks and exercise and essential needs like groceries and medical care. Restaurants may still deliver food.

“I can assure you home isolation is not my preferred choice, I know it’s not yours, but it’s a necessary one,” Newsom said. “This is not a permanent state, this is a moment in time.”

“You can still take your kids outside, practicing common sense and social distancing. You can still walk your dog,” he said. “If we are to be criticized at this moment, let us be criticized for taking this moment seriously.”

Newsom, a Democrat, said he was mobilizing 500 California National Guard troops for food distribution and humanitarian services only.

“I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement that it’s appropriate just to home isolate,” he said.

The announcement came less than an hour after a similar mandate was issued in Los Angeles County and days after the “shelter-in-place” order in the San Francisco Bay Area.

California is the first to enact such a statewide measure.

Earlier on Thursday, Newsom projected that more than half of his state’s residents will get the virus.

Asked how long the restriction would last, Newsom said he was leaving it “open-ended,” as predicting when the contagion would end could raise false hopes.