CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) — Contra Costa County is joining other Bay Area counties in banning large gatherings in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Contra Costa County Health Officer announced Saturday they are banning public and private gatherings of more than 100 people.

This is in addition to the county declaring a local emergency earlier this week.​​

The order will go into effect at midnight and will remain in place until Tuesday, March 31.

The ban includes events like parties, event centers, sporting events, and conferences but it excludes places like shopping centers and office spaces.

“This order does not apply to normal operations at airports or spaces where people may be in transit,” Acting Health Officer Ori Tzvieli explained. “It does not apply to office environments or medical offices, hospitals or clinics. It does not apply to classrooms, or congregate living situations, including dormitory’s and homeless encampments.”​

The order is legally binding, unlike a previous recommendation from health services that people avoid gatherings of 50 or more people.​

Violating the order can result in a misdemeanor carrying a fine and possibly jail time.​

The sheriff’s department and local police agencies have the authority to enforce it.​

County officials will reassess the ban on March 31 and may be extended until April.

There are 25 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Contra Costa County.

Other counties that have banned large gatherings include Santa Clara and San Francisco.

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