Editor’s note: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office made some changes Friday evening March 20, 2020 which address some of the confusion created when the governor issued a statewide stay-at-home order March 19, 2020. Local orders can be more restrictive, but not looser, than the state rules. Here are the updated changes.

Here’s what you need to know about the shelter-in-place order issued by health officials in seven Bay Area counties on Monday:

What does ‘shelter in place’ mean?

If you hadn’t heard the term “social distancing” before the coronavirus outbreak, you surely have by now. Shelter in place is essentially social distancing to the highest degree.

All businesses and government functions not considered essential must be shut down. Public and private gatherings of any size outside a home are prohibited. And travel is prohibited, except for those performing essential activities, operating essential businesses or maintaining essential government functions.

Although you don’t need permission to leave your house, you have limited options once outside.

When am I allowed to leave my house?

If you operate or work for an “essential business.” This includes health care providers, bankers, grocers, childcare facilitators and shelter operators.

If you provide “essential governmental services” needed to ensure the continued operation of government agencies, such as police and fire protection and transportation.

If you need to conduct “necessary activities.” That would include obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor, purchasing necessary supplies such as groceries and personal hygiene products, or providing necessary care and supplies to family members in another household.

How will this be enforced?

It’s unclear at this point to what extent local authorities will enforce the new mandate.

San Francisco Police Chief William Scott said Monday that violation of the order is “enforceable as a misdemeanor” but clarified that it would be “an absolute last resort.”

Read the full legal ‘shelter-in-place’ order for 7 Bay Area counties.

If I didn’t get to the grocery store, will I be able to get more food later?

If you’re looking at your cupboards and are concerned that you won’t have enough food to last you until April 7, have no fear.

You are still allowed to go to grocery stores, which will be doing all they can to restock to meet the increased demand.

What’s the deal with restaurants?

Restaurants within the six counties should not be serving dine-in patrons. However, county officials said they are still encouraged to stay open and sell food strictly on a delivery and take-out basis.

What else will be open?

The order labels “essential businesses” as:

Grocery stores

Medical facilities and hospitals

Pharmacies

Banks

Gas stations and auto repair shops

Laundromats

Hardware stores

Childcare facilities and educational institutions, though only through distance learning

Restaurants for delivery or take-out

What places are expected to close?

Bars, breweries, clubs and dine-in restaurants

Schools

Gyms and fitness centers

Movie theaters, casinos, live performance venues and arcades

Can I still go to visit my friends, significant others or elderly relatives?

The directive states that all nonessential travel is prohibited, so technically that would include seeing friends and significant others who may live in another housing unit.

Traveling to care for an elderly or minor relative or another vulnerable person in another household is allowed.

Can I go outside for a walk or exercise?

Yes, you’re not going to get cited if you set foot outside for some much-needed fresh air.

You can still go on a walk or exercise or take a pet to do its thing outside — as long as you maintain good social distancing practices and stay at least six feet from any other person.

Can I use public transportation or still get on that flight I booked?

Public transportation will still continue to operate for those who need to perform essential services, but passengers will have to keep at least six feet from each other.

Although the order instructs people not to travel unless it’s essential, operations at the Mineta San Jose International Airport, San Francisco International Airport and Oakland International Airport will not be affected by the order.

If I’m losing pay because of this new measure, what can I do?

Whether you need to stay home to take care of a child who’s no longer in school or your employer was forced to close as a non-essential business, you still have options to receive some income.

If your employer shut down, you can file an unemployment insurance claim, which will provide partial wage-replacement payments. An executive order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week waives the typical one-week unpaid waiting period, which means you could start collecting benefits immediately.

Those who cannot report to work because they either have or were exposed to COVID-19 — and were certified by a medical professional — can file a disability insurance claim. And if you need to skip work to care for an ill or quarantined family member with the disease, you can file a paid family leave claim.

To find out more about your options visit: https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm