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Seven Bay Area counties began enforcing a virtual public lockdown Tuesday in the face of the rapidly expanding coronavirus pandemic. The historic and unprecedented move is aimed at slowing transmission of the deadly COVID-19 respiratory disease. (You can read the order here.)
The orders, which mirror one another closely, describe a list of “essential” businesses that may continue operating over the next three weeks. Aside from obvious exemptions like health care facilities, utilities and grocery stores, various other businesses were deemed essential — including hardware stores, plumbers, some legal services and newspapers. Some large technology companies, such as Google and Apple, have received exemptions to perform certain duties — but most of their workers will be at home with everyone else, according to Santa Clara County officials.
Here’s the full list of companies that will continue functioning over the next few weeks.
Bay Area law enforcement agencies have emphasized that “no one is going to jail” over the shelter-in-place order, and while workers across the region are set to lose income as a result of it, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to help prevent evictions during the coronavirus outbreak.
The order gives local governments the authority to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, but stops short of creating a statewide moratorium. The order also aims to slow foreclosures and help keep utilities running for residents affected by COVID-19.
“People shouldn’t lose or be forced out of their home because of the spread of COVID-19,” Newsom said in a statement. “Over the next few weeks, everyone will have to make sacrifices – but a place to live shouldn’t be one of them.”
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