Last updated: 20 March 2020 @ 11:00 pm Pacific
As part of social distancing (physical distancing) efforts, governors other public officials across the country have restricted public gatherings, closed bars and restaurants, and shuttered entertainment venues. These states, cities and counties have issued orders to shelter-in-place, which restricts travel as well as the types of businesses that can remain open.
On 19 March, California Governor Newsom issued the such first statewide order; he told 40 million people to stay home except for essential travel.
“There’s a social contract here. People I think recognize the need to do more and to meet this moment,” Newsom said. “People will self-regulate their behavior, they’ll begin to adjust and adapt, as they have been [doing] quite significantly.”
Today @realdonaldtrump said he thinks we'll never need a national lockdown to combat the spread of #COVID19. As an ER doc on the front lines against this virus, I think he's totally wrong & that we should impose a national "shelter in place" right now. This is important. (1/10)
— Dr. Rob Davidson #WearAMask (@DrRobDavidson) March 20, 2020
If it works, the physical distancing enabled by restricting movement will make this prevention feel like it wasn’t needed. That’s the point. Those of us who remember Y2K preparations in the computer industry remember this point well.
University of Chicago lead epidemiologist Dr. Emily Landon explains why a stay at home order is necessary, comparing St Louis and Philadelphia’s response to the 1918 pandemic. STL sheltered in place. Philly held a parade. STL fared much better. pic.twitter.com/Y0pSb5wVDD
— Hannah Meisel (@hannahmeisel) March 20, 2020
Definitions
- Isolation – for people have tested positive for the virus or suspect they may be infected
- Quarantine – for people who may have been exposed to the virus (14 days)
- Shelter in place – a public safety term introduced to most of us because of gun violence and, until now, associated with an active shooter situation. In the context of COVID-19, it means that those of us who are not in isolation or quarantine should stay at home as much as possible. Permitted activities include getting food or gas; refilling prescriptions; going for a walk; and attending to any medical concerns. People whose jobs are considered essential are expected to continue to go to work if they are healthy.
Jurisdictions with shelter-in-place (or similar) orders
Similar orders include health orders that limit face-to-face interaction or restrictions on dining out. Links are to the most recent orders.
Health order
Restaurant/bar restrictions
Shelter in place or equivalent
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California – 19 March
- seven counties in the Bay Area – 16 March
- Colorado
- Connecticut – 19 March
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida – 20 March, closed state beaches
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois – 20 March
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey – expected 21 March
- New Mexico
- New York – 20 March
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania – 19 March, closed non-essential businesses
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington – 15 March
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
See COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2 / Coronavirus information portal
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