California's Judicial Council approved a series of temporary emergency rules Monday, including staying eviction and foreclosure proceedings during the Covid-19 pandemic, a vote that reinforces Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order to delay such actions against renters and homeowners in the state.

During a teleconference Monday afternoon, the council also moved to set bail statewide at $0 for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies to "safely reduce jail populations."

Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye opened the session saying, "(We are) trying our best to preserve rights and ultimately preserve lives."

"We are at this point truly with no guidance in either history, law or precedent. And to say that there is no playbook is a gross understatement of the situation."

District attorney Jackie Lacey, who presides over Los Angeles County where a zero-bail measure was implemented last week to reduce the number of inmates, applauded the decision.

"I appreciate the collaboration among criminal justice leaders in Los Angeles County that has resulted in the rapid deployment of new and innovative approaches as we work to try to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community," Lacey said in a statement.

In total the council approved 11 temporary emergency rules. Among the actions the council approved, to go into effect immediately are: