All 40 million residents of California were Thursday ordered to stay at home indefinitely in a bid to battle the coronavirus pandemic in the nation’s most populous state.
The statewide directive, which Governor Gavin Newsom said goes into effect “this evening,” is the most dramatic containment measure yet by a US state.
“There is a recognition of our interdependence that requires of this moment that we direct a statewide order for people to stay at home,” he said.
No end date was set for the measure because the pandemic is a “dynamic situation,” said Newsom.
California has been among the worst hit by the virus, with at least 18 confirmed deaths so far, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.
Around 1,000 Californians have tested positive.
Although a mandatory executive order, the measure will likely not be enforced by police, Newsom said.
