Coronavirus California Update: Bay Area Orders ‘Shelter In Place,' What's Open, Closed?

After a total of 335 cases and six deaths were reported in California over the weekend, six San Francisco Bay Area counties on Monday announced “shelter in place” orders which will come into effect from 12.01 a.m. local time (2.01 a.m. EDT), Tuesday until April 7.

The counties that have issued the order include San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin, Alameda and Contra Costa counties. These counties have a combined population of over 6.7 million.

Shelter is place, a drastic lockdown measure, directs all the citizens to stay inside their homes. The citizens can, however, leave their homes “to provide or receive certain essential services or engage in certain essential activities and work for essential business or government services.”

Here is a list of businesses and services that will be open or closed in the next three weeks:

• Public transit: Only essential travel is allowed and people who ride on public transits should maintain a minimum of six feet distance from the other rider.
• Restaurants: Cafes and restaurants will be open for delivery and takeout.
• Nightclubs: All nightclubs and bars will remain closed
• Gyms: All gyms and recreational activities will remain closed.

The activities that are allowed include:

• Visiting hospital or clinic
• Buying groceries and other essential services
• Activities like hiking and running.
• Visiting another household to look after a family member or pet
• Working for healthcare operations and as first responders

Dr. Grant Colfax, the director of the San Francisco department of public health, said, “With this order in place, you will still be able to get food, care for relatives, run necessary errands and conduct the essential parts of your life. You will still be able to walk your dog or go on a hike alone or with someone you live with or even with another person as long as you keep six feet between you.”