San Francisco ordered to shelter in place due to coronavirus

San Francisco Mayor London Breed announces a shelter-in-place order for the entire city amid coronavirus concerns on Monday, March 16, 2020. San Francisco Mayor London Breed announces a shelter-in-place order for the entire city amid coronavirus concerns on Monday, March 16, 2020. Photo: City Of San Francisco Photo: City Of San Francisco Image 1 of / 49 Caption Close San Francisco ordered to shelter in place due to coronavirus 1 / 49 Back to Gallery

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San Francisco is ordering city residents to stay in their homes to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus epidemic. The shelter-in-place order will remain in effect through at least April 7.

"Effective at midnight, San Francisco will require people to stay home except for essential needs," Mayor London Breed tweeted at noon Monday. "Necessary government functions & essential stores will remain open."

Individuals are asked to avoid all gatherings except for medical purposes, to get food, or to care for a friend or relative.

People should work from home unless they provide essential services, such as public safety, sanitation and medical services.

"These steps are based on the advice of public health experts to slow the spread of #COVID19," Breed said at a 1 p.m. press conference. "The most important thing you can do is remain home as much as possible. There is no need to rush out for food or supplies, as these stores will remain open."

Breed said nonessential businesses such as gyms and bars will be closing. "Restaurants will only be open for take-out," she said.

She assured residents that grocery stores, banks, gas stations and pharmacies will remain open.

"There’s no need to rush out to these places because they will be open," Breed said.

MORE: What you need to know now about Bay Area shelter in place orders

Essential city services will still be offered.

"These measure will be disruptive to day-to-day life, but there is no need to panic," Breed said. "Essential government services will continue. Your garbage will be picked up. Police will still be out there."

While the order is legally enforceable, SF police Chief Bill Scott said the department is asking for "voluntary compliance," adding that police enforcement would be an "absolute last resort."

Dr. Grant Colfax, the city's director of health, emphasized the importance of keeping a distance of six feet from others when you leave your home.

"You’ll still be able to walk your dog or go on a hike alone or with someone you live with or with a friend as long as you stay six feet apart," Colfax said.

The order is expected to be in effect through at least April 7. "It may be extended depending on recommendations from public health officials," a statement from the city said.

"I want to make sure all San Franciscans understand we are entering a new phase in our response," Colfax said. "This is a critical intervention that we can know can reduce harm and save lives. The coronavirus is spreading in our community and we need to slow it down."

According to a statement from the City of San Francisco, essential activities (exemptions to the shelter-in-place order) include:

Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor;

Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, such as getting food and supplies, pet food, and getting supplies necessary for staying at home;

Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, or running provided that you maintain at least six feet of social distancing;

Performing work providing essential services at an Essential Business or Essential Government function (defined below);

Caring for a family member in another household;

Caring for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons.





Exemptions. Individuals may leave their place of residence to operate an essential business, including:

Healthcare operations, including home health workers;

Essential Infrastructure, including construction of housing and operation of public transportation and utilities;

Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, convenience stores;

Businesses that provide necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals and shelter facilities;

Pharmacies, health care supply stores, and health care facilities;

Gas stations and auto repair facilities;

Banks;

Garbage collection;

Hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, and other service providers necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences and other essential businesses;

Educational institutions, for the purposes of facilitating distance learning;

Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;

Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, and goods directly to residences;

Childcare facilities providing services that enable essential employees to go to work;

Roles required for any Essential Business to “maintain basic operations,” which include security, payroll, and similar activities.

They may also leave their home to perform an essential government function:

This includes all services needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Read the official order at sf.gov.

Effective at midnight, San Francisco will require people to stay home except for essential needs.



Necessary government functions & essential stores will remain open.



These steps are based on the advice of public health experts to slow the spread of #COVID19. — London Breed (@LondonBreed) March 16, 2020

Officials say five other San Francisco Bay Area counties — Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda — will be issuing similar orders, affecting nearly 7 million people.

San Mateo Mayor Joe Goethals told the Los Angeles Times he expects shelter-in-place orders will be implemented by almost all Bay Area counties.

There are 40 patients infected with COVID-19 in the San Francisco, according to the city's Public Health Department. All public schools are closed for the next three weeks, beginning today, March 16.

This is a developing story and will be updated as we learn more.

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Amy Graff is a digital editor with SFGATE. Email her: agraff@sfgate.com.