Millions have been ordered to shelter in place due to coronavirus. What does it mean?
After San Francisco Bay area counties issued a shelter-in-place order amid the coronavirus outbreak, New York City officials are considering doing the same, media outlets reported.
“I think New Yorkers should be prepared right now for the possibility of a shelter in place order,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said, according to CNN. “It has not happened yet but it is definitely a possibility at this point. I believe that decision should be made in the next 48 hours, and it’s a very, a very difficult decision.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo seemed to refute that possibility in a statement later on Tuesday, according to CNN.
“Any blanket quarantine or shelter in place policy would require state action and as the governor has said, there is no consideration of that for any locality at this time,” his office said in a statement.
Seven San Francisco Bay Area counties ordered its 7 million residents to “shelter in place” and only go out for “essential needs” until at least April 7, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The San Francisco Police Department posted on its Twitter account that it would start “checking bars and clubs for compliance with our city’s public health order.”
People “may leave to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential business or government services,” The Guardian reported, citing the order. That means groceries, getting medical help, going to the veterinarian, picking up medication, and going to your job if you work in a healthcare field, according to the outlet.
Outside exercise is allowed “provided that the individuals comply with social distancing requirements,” according to The Guardian.
The shelter-in-place order is enforceable as a misdemeanor and also called on the sheriff and chief of police to “ensure compliance with and enforce this order,” The Guardian reported.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Millions have been ordered to shelter in place due to coronavirus. What does it mean?."