As the novel coronavirus spreads across the nation, cities and states are taking increasingly drastic measures to curb the severity of the pandemic. Over the past two weeks, local government officials from Washington state to New York and Louisiana have shuttered bars and restaurants, imposed curfews, and prohibited large gatherings in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus, which has infected people in all 50 states and killed over 100 Americans. Recent spikes in infections also have led some local officials to issue “shelter in place” orders, one of the more stringent measures available to authorities—save a full quarantine or lockdown—to compel residents to stay in their homes and limit movement.
Shelter in place orders are traditionally used by local officials during or immediately after an emergency, like a mass shooting, chemical spill, or natural disaster. In recent weeks, state and local officials have retooled the measure to help limit the spread of Covid-19 by mandating residents stay in their homes and limit travel to essential trips, like picking up groceries, going to the bank, or receiving medical care. Some shelter in place orders have provisions permitting residents to walk or exercise outside in public spaces, so long as they stay 6 feet away from others.
Shelter in place orders generally close all nonessential businesses and prohibit their employees from leaving their homes to work, though the definition of “essential” businesses can vary depending on the specifics of the order.
This guide will be updated as new restrictions are imposed or lifted. Last Update: 6 pm ET, March 20, 2020
Where shelter in place orders have been issued
California
On March 19, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered all 40 million Californians to shelter in place until further notice. The order came after 11 Californian counties and cities had issued local shelter in place orders over the previous week in an attempt to contain the spreading of coronavirus.
Essential state and local government functions are open, as are gas stations, health care facilities, pharmacies, banks, laundromats, and stores that sell food, such as grocery stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, and convenience stores. Bars, taverns, and restaurants are closed, though establishments that serve food are permitted to provide takeout and delivery services so long as they adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Business in sectors identified by the government as critical to the security and continuity of the US are also permitted to stay open. This includes the chemical industry, commercial facilities, communications, critical manufacturing, dams, defense, energy, financial services, food and agriculture, government facilities, health care and public health, information technology, nuclear materials, transportation systems, and water systems.
Some businesses consider themselves more essential than government officials do. Most notably, Tesla kept operating its Fremont assembly plant until the local sh
