March 20, 2020 / By Dakin Andone, Christina Maxouris, Steve Almasy and Jen Christensen, CNN
(CNN)-California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide order Thursday, telling residents in the most populous state to stay home.
It is the most restrictive order by a governor so far during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
It applies to most of the state’s 40 million residents. There are exceptions for workers in “16 critical infrastructure sections.
“The order takes effect Thursday night.”
Those that work in critical sectors should go to work. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and more will stay open,” Newsom tweeted. “We need to meet this moment and flatten the curve together.”
Law enforcement will not arrest violators, Newsom said in a news conference today.
“I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement that it’s appropriate just to home isolate, protect themselves,” he told reporters.
The governor said the order is open-ended. “This is a dynamic situation,” Newsom said.
It comes as the number of cases in California and the United States skyrocket.
