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Friday, March 20, 2020




California governor Gavin Newsom issues statewide 'Stay At Home' order for 40 MILLION people - after warning 26 million could be infected with coronavirus in the next eight weeks



California's governor on Thursday issued an unprecedented statewide 'stay at home order' directing the state's 40 million residents to hunker down in their homes for the foreseeable future in the face of the fast-spreading coronavirus pandemic.
Governor Gavin Newsom's directive, effective immediately, marks the largest and most sweeping government clampdown yet in the worsening public health crisis brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak, which he predicted could infect more than half the state within eight weeks.
'We are confident the people of California will abide by it, they will meet this moment,' Newsom, a Democrat in his first term as governor of the nation's most populous state, said at a late-afternoon news briefing from the state capital in Sacramento.
'They'll step up as they have over the last number of weeks to protect themselves, to protect their families and to protect the broader community in this great state and the world we reside in.'Newsom said exceptions to the stay-at-home rule would be granted for residents to make necessary trips to grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors and in some cases work. 
He did not give an end date for the order but suggested that it would last for at least eight weeks. 
The governor said the order was essential in light of modeling by experts that showed roughly 56 per cent of the state's residents, or 25 million people, would contract the respiratory illness in the next eight weeks.
Such numbers would require nearly 20,000 more hospital beds than the state could provide.
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Gov Gavin Newsom on Thursday issued a statewide 'stay at home order' directing residents to leave their homes only when necessary during the coronavirus pandemic as officials predict that more than 25 million residents will be infected with COVID-19 in the next eight weeks
Gov Gavin Newsom on Thursday issued a statewide 'stay at home order' directing residents to leave their homes only when necessary during the coronavirus pandemic as officials predict that more than 25 million residents will be infected with COVID-19 in the next eight weeks
Newsom said in the letter (pictured) that officials project that roughly '56 per cent of our population - 25.5 million people - will be infected with the virus over an eight-week period'
Newsom said in the letter (pictured) that officials project that roughly '56 per cent of our population - 25.5 million people - will be infected with the virus over an eight-week period'
The governor has asked that the Navy's hospital boat Mercy (pictured) be sent to California immediately
The governor has asked that the Navy's hospital boat Mercy (pictured) be sent to California immediatelyAlready more than 1,000 Californians have been confirmed as infected and 18 have died, the third largest death toll in the United States behind only Washington state and New York.
California is home to some 40 million people, including an estimated 108,000 homeless.
Just before the press conference, Newsom released a copy of a letter that he sent to Donald Trump in which he asked the president to send help 'immediately'.
'I respectfully request you immediately deploy the USNS Mercy Hospital Ship to be stationed at the port of Los Angeles through September 1, 2020, to help decompress our current health care delivery system in the Los Angeles region in response to the COVID-19 outbreak,' Newsom's letter reads. 
Newsom said officials project that roughly '56 per cent of our population - 25.5 million people - will be infected with the virus over an eight-week period'. 
Earlier this week, Trump did say that the Navy hospital ships Mercy and Comfort would be pressed into service, one on each coast, as healthcare systems become badly strained during the pandemic.
But US defense officials have said the ships were not yet ready to sail on the emergency mission, with the Comfort undergoing maintenance in Virginia. 
An unnamed US defense official said Thursday that the Mercy would be sent from San Diego to the Seattle area, which is one of the nation's worst outbreaks of the respiratory illness that has killed more than 200 people nationwide and infected more than 14,000 others.
Trump spoke with several state governors by phone on Thursday, saying the federal government would be helping out US auto companies and might consider a relief package for the hospitality industry as well.  
In a separate letter sent to US congressional leaders, the California governor asked for additional federal funding for unemployment insurance and social safety net programs and aid to small businesses, schools and universities.
US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday introduced a $1trillion-plus package of legislation to provide direct financial help for Americans, relief for small businesses and their employees, steps to stabilize the economy, and support for healthcare professionals and coronavirus patients.
Earlier on Thursday, Newsom said the National Guard in California has been put on 'alert' after it was predicted more than 60,000 homeless people could become ill with the coronavirus. 
California, the nation's most populous state, has also been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak, with 1000 confirmed cases as of Thursday and at least 19 deaths. 
With San Francisco on lockdown for three weeks and six Bay Area counties being told to shelter-in-place, supermarket shelves have been emptied as panic buyers elsewhere prepare to bunker down.
Newsom is just one step away from activating the 22,000 National Guard members who are relied upon in natural disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes.   
Newsom's said Tuesday that he is putting the California National Guard on alert for duties such as ensuring food distribution. A jogger runs past the 746th National Guard unit in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday
Newsom's said Tuesday that he is putting the California National Guard on alert for duties such as ensuring food distribution. A jogger runs past the 746th National Guard unit in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday
People try to stay warm as they face the elements inside a homeless encampment flooded under a rainstorm across the Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, on Thursday
People try to stay warm as they face the elements inside a homeless encampment flooded under a rainstorm across the Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, on Thursday 
There are more than 14,000 cases in the United States with 211 deaths (depicted above)
There are more than 14,000 cases in the United States with 211 deaths (depicted above)
Last week he urged all people over 65 and those with underlying health conditions to stay inside. 
Many stores have introduce seniors-only shopping hours at the start of the day to ensure the most vulnerable have access to goods while the areas are freshly sanitized.  
When readying the National Guard for action, Newsom's office emphasized it was for duties routinely performed during natural disasters and other emergencies. But Newsom added that 'we have the ability to do martial law... if we feel the necessity'.
Imposing martial law would take the extraordinary step of replacing the usual laws with military authority, with the possible suspension of civil liberties like freedom of association and movement.
He has also limited the size of gatherings to 250 people and called for the shutdown of bars, movie theaters, fitness centers and other gathering places, and for restaurants to only serve to-go orders. 
Of the 12,600 people tested for coronavirus in California, there are still 3,250 results undelivered, and with hospitalization rates for those infected with the flu-like disease about 20 per cent, a requirement for additional hospital beds could quickly overwhelm hospitals, Newsom said. 
California's 415 hospitals have been planning for a surge of patients. They have about 88,000 beds and under worst-case scenarios, California could be short 20,000 beds, he said. 
It's unclear how long the order will last, and Gov Gavin Newsom said during a Thursday night press conference that he wasn't able to put a deadline on it
A California resident wears a mask while walking on Thursday
It's unclear how long the order will last, and Gov Gavin Newsom said during a Thursday night press conference that he wasn't able to put a deadline on it. California residents wear masks while walking in Los Angeles on Thursday 
Holidaymakers have been asked to leave and others warned to avoid the area surrounding Dockweiler Beach RV site (pictured) in the city of El Segundo, California, amid preparation for the growing Coronavirus pandemic
Holidaymakers have been asked to leave and others warned to avoid the area surrounding Dockweiler Beach RV site (pictured) in the city of El Segundo, California, amid preparation for the growing Coronavirus pandemic
Seniors shop for groceries during special hours open to seniors and the disabled only at Northgate Gonzalez Market, a Hispanic specialty supermarket, on Thursday in Los Angeles
Seniors shop for groceries during special hours open to seniors and the disabled only at Northgate Gonzalez Market, a Hispanic specialty supermarket, on Thursday in Los Angeles'Over the next eight-week period, we have modeled that of the 108,000 unsheltered Californians that are out on the streets, if you had an attack rate of about 56 per cent, you're looking at 60-plus thousand individuals that may have COVID-19,' Newsom said in a Facebook address to the state.
'That creates a deep point of anxiety for the existing population but moreover for our healthcare delivery system, our capacity to move people in and out of the shelters safely without contacting other people and putting them at risk as well.'
The governor said he had issued an executive order authorizing the distribution of an $100million to cities and counties across California to blunt the impact of the respiratory illness on the homeless, and had acquired 1,300 trailers to use as temporary housing.
Another executive order directed that an additional $50million be used to convert motels and hotels into shelters where homeless people could be isolated if they caught the virus.
California has identified 950 hotels that could lease rooms to local governments to house the homeless. 
In San Francisco, doctors were seen in the streets on Wednesday breaking cover to give advice and provide help to the city's large homeless population.There is one confirmed death of a homeless person in California so far. Newsom said the person died in Santa Clara County, just south of San Francisco. Newsom and the county health department provided no details about the person.
'I hope you get a sense of the seriousness we're taking the issue of homelessness,' Newsom said in a Facebook Live broadcast. 
Experts say that the homeless, who often have health and substance-abuse problems, are exposed to the elements and do not have easy access to hygiene, are more vulnerable to the coronavirus. 
Hand washing stations have popped up in Los Angeles and San Francisco 
Anthony Colebar, 52, from Decatur, Illinois, who is homeless, and was shot in the face with a shotgun, said last week that he is not worried about the coronavirus, as he stood in a rainstorm outside his camp overlooking downtown Los Angeles.
Still some cities are making provisions, so the homeless who contract the virus have a place to recover without spreading the infection further. 
A homeless person shelters from the rain under a movie theater sign during the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Encinitas, California on Wednesday
A homeless person shelters from the rain under a movie theater sign during the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Encinitas, California on WednesdayLos Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the state's largest city was making a new push to identify homeless people considered most vulnerable to the virus, including the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
LA has an estimated 27,000 of the county's 60,000 homeless people. Garcetti said the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority will be asked to identify 4,000 people throughout the county who are most at risk from the virus because of their age or medical conditions.
The Democratic mayor said that up to 6,000 of those potential coronavirus victims would be given beds in city recreational centers. 
People in shelters who have virus symptoms will be taken to receive medical care, Garcetti said.
Homeless people are difficult to test and treat because they may move frequently or refuse medical care. 
LA is home to the notorious Skid Row where the streets are lined with cardboard boxes which the displaced used as shelter. The central LA area recently saw outbreaks of typhus and Hepatitis A.
The city also has set up hundreds of hand-washing stations and mobile toilets at homeless encampments and the City Council voted Tuesday to suspend an ordinance requiring homeless people to take down their tents during the day so that transients can at least shelter there.
Patients suspected of carrying the virus would be isolated in emergency trailers, a move paid for by tapping into state funds made available by the governor.
Those who used to live at the RV park by Dockweiler Beach were handed a notice last Friday, according to Fox 11, as the way was paved to help the homeless shelter.
'LA County will work with private sector providers, faith-based groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs) and government partners to support those in isolation or quarantine with comprehensive services to ensure their safety, health and well-being,' a county spokesperson said.Newsom said that the state had received 80,000 claims for unemployment on Tuesday, compared to the usual rate of about 2,000 per day. 
With virtually all of the state's children out of school because of closures, Newsom suspended standardized testing this spring. And with the economy shedding jobs he waived certain reporting requirements for businesses making mass layoffs.
Newsom said he will not issue a statewide lockdown on people's movements, preferring to allow local governments to make those decisions. And many have enacted tighter restrictions.
Residents of the city of Fresno began living under a shelter-in-place order Thursday that is similar to actions taken by at least 15 counties in the northern half of the state. The entire San Francisco Bay is part of the area covered by the restrictions affecting more than 10 million people.
Residents in places such as Solano and Napa have been told to stay home and go out only for essential purposes such as trips to grocery stores and to jobs in health care and other industries deemed critical.
In Southern California, the city of Palm Springs enacted similar restrictions. Los Angeles, San Diego and other major population centers in the region have not gone that far but have urged people to remain at home as much as possible.
Although Newsom hasn't ordered school closures, local authorities have done so. 
The governor said nearly 99 per cent of the state's K-12 schools are shuttered and could remain so for the rest of the school year.
Districts generally ordered closures between two and five weeks but Newsom said Tuesday it's likely most, and perhaps all, won't reopen before summer.  
For areas not sheltering in place, state and national parks remained an alternative to sitting on the couch, but with limitations.
California State Parks announced it is temporarily closing all its campgrounds and some small mountain towns dotting the Sierra Nevada range urged rock and mountain climbers to stay away. But trails and beaches remain open. Visitors were reminded to maintain social distancing. 

CORONAVIRUS SHUTDOWNS IN THE UNITED STATES

ALABAMA
Alabama health officials on Tuesday ordered the closure of day cares, senior centers and on-site restaurant dining in six counties to contain the coronavirus outbreak. 
The order from the Alabama Department of Public Health applies to Jefferson County, which has the highest number of cases, and the surrounding counties of Tuscaloosa, Walker, Blount, St. Clair and Shelby.
Public gatherings of more than 25 people banned across the state. 
All public schools closed until April 6.
Jefferson County Health Officer Mark Wilson said: 'I know this has a big impact on our community. It's quite restrictive.'
The Alabama Department of Public Health on Monday urged people statewide to avoid gatherings of more than 50 people, unless they can maintain a 6-foot distance between others, to limit spread of the new coronavirus. 
ALASKA
Anchorage - a ban on dine-in service from 5pm Monday until March 31.
Theaters, gyms and bingo halls closed through March 31.
The mayor of Anchorage signed the order Monday closing gyms and entertainment venues and barring restaurants, bars and other establishments from offering dine-in service to the public through the rest of March. 
PENNSYLVANIA 
All liquor stores and licensee service centers will close indefinitely at 9pm on Tuesday.
Gov Tom Wolf extended the shutdown to the entire state of Pennsylvania on Monday bar essential services.
LOUISIANA 
All bars, nightclubs, casinos, movie theaters, gyms and health clubs will be closed until April 13. Restaurants may open for take-out options only.
Governor John Bel Edwards said the new restrictions take effect Tuesday and will last until April 13.
Public gatherings of 50 people or more will be banned. No one will be allowed to eat onsite at a restaurant. 
In heavily Catholic New Orleans and in Baton Rouge, church leaders announced cancellation of masses until further notice. 
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has been postponed. 
CONNECTICUT 
Gatherings of more than 50 people banned.
Bars and restaurants shut indefinitely for dine-in customers.
Clubs, bars, cinemas, gyms shut indefinitely.
Hospitals across the state are restricting visitation, and some, including UConn Health in Farmington, have announced the indefinite postponement of elective surgeries. 
MASSACHUSETTS
Gatherings of more than 25 people banned.
Bars and restaurants to offer take-out only until April 7.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is shutting down construction sites across the city. Walsh also announced all branches of the Boston Public Library will close.
NEW JERSEY 
Curfew from 8pm – 5am; gatherings of more than 50 people banned; bars and restaurants shut indefinitely for dine-in customers, but can offer take-out.
Clubs, bars, cinemas and gyms shut indefinitely. 
New Jersey expanded coronavirus mitigation efforts, ordering indoor malls and amusement centers closed.
All public and private schools, colleges and universities are joining the list. 
The city of Hoboken on Tuesday also ordered its 55,000 residents to isolate at home for a week.
NEW YORK   
Gatherings of more than 50 people banned.
Bars and restaurants shut indefinitely for dine-in customers, but can offer take-out.
Clubs, bars, cinemas and gyms shut indefinitely.
Essential businesses such as supermarkets and gas stations will be able to stay open after 8 p.m. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he is 'strongly encouraging' nonessential businesses to close in New York after 8 p.m. 
New York City - Eateries could only accept takeout and delivery orders. Mayor Bill de Blasio also ordered nightclubs, movie theaters and other entertainment venues closed
New York City announced its public school district, the nation's largest, will be closed starting Monday, joining most of the rest of the country
New Rochelle - one mile containment area set up 
ILLINOIS 
Bars and restaurants shut to dine-in customers until March 30
KENTUCKY 
Bars and restaurants shut to dine-in customers until March 30. 
The Democratic governors of Connecticut, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington on Monday all ordered the full or partial closure of certain categories of businesses. 
OHIO 
Bars and restaurants shut to dine-in customers, but can offer take-out.
Ohio marked St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday with no parades and no primary election over fears of the coronavirus. Health Director Dr. Amy Acton issued an order late Monday shutting down polls Tuesday. 
Youngstown State University and Capital University in Columbus were among those announcing the cancellation of May commencement ceremonies, saying they couldn't comply with restrictions severely limiting the size of gatherings. 
Ohio's Roman Catholic bishops suspended all publicly celebrated Masses through Easter on April 12, extending an earlier suspension of services through Palm Sunday one week earlier. 
OKLAHOMA 
Public schools closed at least until April 6.
Oklahoma's governor declared a statewide emergency Sunday evening.
The Oklahoma Legislature approved sweeping changes to the state's Open Meeting Act on Tuesday to allow government bodies to meet via teleconference. 
Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt both ordered the immediate shutdown of bars, while restaurants can serve only take-out orders. Similar measures were also imposed in Stillwater and Norman, including orders that theaters, gyms and amusement facilities must also close.
Officials with the Remington Park horse track in Oklahoma City said it was closing to the general public and races would be held without spectators.
The archbishop of Oklahoma City announced Tuesday that all public masses and liturgies at Catholic churches in the archdiocese of Oklahoma City would be canceled through Easter Sunday, April 12. 
MICHIGAN 
Bars and restaurants shut to dine-in customers indefinitely, but can offer take-out. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has banned more than 50 people in a gathering at a time.
Whitmer issued a sweeping order Monday banning dine-in customers at restaurants and closing all bars, movie theaters, gyms and other sports facilities to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The measure was to last through March.
Besides those restrictions, all Michigan schools are closed. 
WASHINGTON 
Restaurants and bars ordered to shut temporarily.
Gatherings of more than 50 people banned for at least two weeks.  
MINNESOTA
Dine-in restaurants and bars ordered to shut through March 27 beginning Tuesday evening.
Gov. Tim Walz ordered bars and restaurants across Minnesota to temporarily close to customers who dine in. 
Delivery and curbside takeout services may continue to operate. The temporary closure also applies to other places of public amusement, including theaters, museums, fitness centers and community clubs. 
Affected businesses must close by 5 p.m. Tuesday. While the governor's order runs through March 27, he said he'll likely end up extending it. Supermarkets, pharmacies and other retailers are not affected. 
OREGON  
Gatherings of more than 25 people banned. 
Restaurants and bars allowed to offer take-out only.  
Gov. Kate Brown on Monday banned on-site consumption at bars and restaurants around the state for at least four weeks in a bid to slow the spread of the new coronavirus and said gatherings will be limited to 25 people or fewer.
Restaurants can still offer takeout or delivery, she said at a news conference. 
Gov. Kate Brown announced an extension of her previous statewide school closure order to combat the spread of coronavirus, saying now schools will be shuttered until at least April 28. 
Only essential medical and emergency personnel can visit residents of long-term care facilities statewide, except for residents who are in the end stages of life. 
CALIFORNIA 
All bars advised to shut, restaurants cut occupancy by half and over 65s are told to self-quarantine.
San Francisco Residents are ordered to 'shelter in place' in five counties. Residents in the city are legally banned from leaving their homes for three weeks for non-essential reasons.
Disneyland closed to the public. 
Palm Springs orders residents to shelter in place.
'Few if any' California schools will reopen before summer break, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
Three more Northern California counties on Tuesday follow the example of those in the San Francisco Bay Area that told residents to stay at home and go outside only for food, medicine and other essential needs. 
WASHINGTON D.C.
Restaurants, bars and clubs to shut down by 10pm Monday, with take-out and delivery still available until April 1.
Health clubs, spas, massage parlors and theaters to shut down.
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a state of emergency.
Organizers of the popular Cherry Blossom festival, which was scheduled to begin March 20, announced that several events would be postponed. 
Officials recommended that all 'non-essential mass gatherings, including conferences and conventions,' be postponed or canceled through the end of March. 
Georgetown University joined the growing list of higher-learning institutions to cancel in-person classes. 
MARYLAND
Bars and restaurants shut indefinitely for dine-in customers, but can offer take-out.
Clubs, bars, cinemas and gyms shut indefinitely.
FLORIDA 
In Florida, Walt Disney World and Universal-Orlando closed Sunday night for the rest of the month, joining their already closed California siblings.
Farther south, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale closed their beaches, where thousands of college spring breakers flocked.
All bars and nightclubs are set to close. 
Officials in Clearwater Beach, Naples voted to close the beach by Monday March 23, while others along the Gulf Coast in Florida's southwest communities are also being closed.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an order limiting parties on beaches to 10 people per group, but after Spring Breakers flouted the rules, stricter control will be rolled out.
NEVADA   
Casinos throughout Nevada were closed Wednesday, along with other nonessential businesses, under an order from Gov. Steve Sisolak.
All public, private and charter K-12 schools in the state will be closed Monday until at least April 6 in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Monthlong closure of non-essential businesses like bars, movie theaters and gyms. Restaurants must shutter their dining rooms and only offer takeout or delivery. 
COLORADO
Colorado’s 12,000 bars and restaurants are limited to takeout and delivery orders under a 30-day ban on gatherings of 50 people as the state expands testing to try to brake the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Jared Polis said Monday.
Polis also announced the closure of all theaters, gyms and casinos until further notice. 
Vail Resorts said it will keep its North American resorts closed for the rest of the ski season.
People arrested for low-level crimes will no longer be booked into jail. 
INDIANA  
Bars, nightclubs and restaurants closed for dine-in with and takeout allowed until the end of March.
Honda said Wednesday that it will shut down plants in North America, including one in Greensburg. 
RHODE ISLAND 
All restaurants, bars, coffee shops shut down for dine in until March 30.
Drive-thru and delivery services remain open. 
The Rhode Island Statehouse will be closed to visitors and certain popular government services will be curtailed.
The popular, downtown Providence Place Mall will be shut down. 
Catholic churches in Rhode Island are suspending Mass services. 
VERMONT 
Bars and restaurants can only serve takeout from Tuesday night.
All pre-K-12 schools in Vermont must close no later than Tuesday
ARIZONA
All schools closed through March 27.  
Phoenix and Tucson joined Flagstaff on Tuesday in ordering bars, gyms and other indoor facilities to close immediately and restaurants to offer to-go service only in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.  
ARKANSAS
All schools closed from Tuesday. 
Arkansas casinos are closing temporarily because of concerns about the coronavirus.
Arkansas' largest city is imposing more restrictions, including a curfew, in an effort to curb the spread of the new coronavirus as the number infections in the state continues to rise.
Mayor Frank Scott said Monday that a curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. will be in effect in Little Rock beginning early Wednesday. 
DELAWARE 
Gov. John Carney directed that restaurants and bars in Delaware restrict their operations to take-out, drive-thru and delivery services.  
GEORGIA 
All public schools and universities closed. 
A large outdoor music festival in Atlanta has been postponed until fall. Organizers of the Shaky Knees Festival on Wednesday said the event featuring headliners the Black Keys, the Strokes and Smashing Pumpkins is now set for Oct. 16 to 18.
HAWAII   
Visitors asked to postpone their island vacations for at least the next 30 days.
Directive that all bars and clubs close and that restaurants shift to serving food through drive-through, takeout and delivery service. Gatherings to be limited to a maximum of 10 people. 
The National Park Service said the Pearl Harbor National Memorial has closed temporarily. 
IDAHO 
Gov. Brad Little said state is adopting federal guidelines that include avoiding social gatherings of more than 10 people. 
The guidelines also call for not eating or drinking in bars, restaurants and food courts, but to use drive-thru or pickup options. Little also recommended avoiding discretionary travel and shopping.
Boise: State of emergency declared Monday, city buildings closed with the exception of the Boise Airport 
IOWA 
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered restaurants, bars, fitness centers, theaters and casinos to close for two weeks. 
Also bans events of more than 10 people, including parades, festivals, conventions and fundraisers, in line with federal recommendations. 
KANSAS 
Kansas State University to teach remotely. 
In Kansas, Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday banned public gatherings of 50 or more people for the next two months. 
All of the state’s K-12 schools to close and to move lessons online for the rest of the spring semester. 
MAINE 
Maine's largest city, Portland, declared an emergency and adopted a curfew to prevent the spread of the virus on St. Patrick's Day.
The curfew applies to establishments where groups gather all day Tuesday and from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. from Wednesday to Saturday.
 L.L. Bean is closing all of its retail stores across the country, including its flagship store in Freeport, Maine, to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
The North Haven Select Board voted Sunday to ban visitors and seasonal residents immediately to prevent the spread of the coronavirus to the Penobscot Bay island, where there have been no cases yet. 
A growing number of municipalities declared emergencies and imposed curfews. 
MISSISSIPPI 
Casinos, public universities and school districts closed until further notice.
Mississippi legislators are suspending their work until at least April 1. 
MISSOURI 
Restaurants, bars and movie theaters ordered shut for 15 days in Kansas City metro from Tuesday 
MONTANA 
Public schools closed for two weeks.
Billings, Missoula, Bozeman, Butte and Helena restrict restaurant openings.
NEBRASKA 
Omaha bars and restaurants limited to 10 and under patrons.
The Douglas County Board of Health issued an order limiting gatherings within the county, which includes Omaha, to no more than 10 people. The order also says that a venue must be large enough for all people in any gathering to be at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart from each other.
The order is effective through April 30. 
NEW HAMPSHIRE 
Restaurants will be restricted to take-out, schools are shut down and large public gatherings are being banned in an effort to contain the coronavirus in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire's directive, which extends until April 7, also will ban public gatherings of 50 people or more. 
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and affiliated hospitals are no longer allowing visitors. 
NEW MEXICO 
Restaurants and bars to operate at 50 per cent capacity; tables must not seat more than six people, and must be separated by at least six feet.
 NORTH CAROLINA 
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is ordering all restaurants and bars be closed to dine-in patrons.
Cooper's office announced he would issue a new executive order directing the closings effective at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The establishments can continue to offer takeout and delivery. 
NORTH DAKOTA 
No mandated closing of restaurants and bars.
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum issued an executive order closing schools across the state for one week beginning Monday. 
 PUERTO RICO 
Two-week closure for the majority of businesses; 9pm overnight curfew through March 30.
Puerto Rico Secretary of State Elmer Román said at a press conference on Monday that no one is allowed to go to the beach. 
On Sunday, Gov. Wanda Vázquez ordered a two-week closure of nonessential government offices and commercial businesses except for gas stations and those in the food, health and finance sectors. Puerto Rico also cancelled major events, including an Ironman race scheduled for this past weekend. 
SOUTH CAROLINA 
Charleston banned gatherings of more than 50 people outside of stores and private offices. 
Columbia restricted businesses to no more than half their legal occupancy and won't allow more than six people to sit at a restaurant table. 
Schools closed from Monday 
SOUTH DAKOTA 
No current plans to close restaurants or bars.
 The governor signed a state of emergency order last week, requesting public schools to close and ordering non-essential state employees to work from home. 
South Dakota public universities announced on Monday that all classes will move online next week after an extended spring break. 
TENNESSEE 
 All bars closed in Nashville; restuarants ordered to operate at no more than 50 per cent capacity.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee on Monday asked schools to close, exhorted people to avoid crowded bars 
TEXAS 
Austin joined other major cities statewide in closing bars and restaurant dining rooms to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Texas Capitol in Austin also will be closed to the public. 
SXSW canceled.
The University of Texas System on Tuesday instructed its eight academic campuses to, effective immediately, move all classes online for the rest of the spring semester and postponed graduation ceremonies until the fall.
El Paso closed its bars and ordered restaurant capacities cut in half.
Galveston Mayor Jim Yarbrough ordered the island city’s bars and restaurants to close, as well as all public amusement venues, including museums, the Pleasure Pier and Moody Gardens. 
Houston has also enacted restrictions on bars, clubs and restaurant 
US VIRGIN ISLANDS 
State of emergency declared 
All public schools closed for at least three weeks from Wednesday  
UTAH 
Salt Lake City shuts restaurants to dine in customers and bars; take out continues. 
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert ordered statewide dine-in closures at restaurants, bars and other eateries while health officials in the national parks hot spot of Moab halted new overnight tourists.
Authorities also closed restaurants, except for takeout, and other public places like theaters and gyms in Grand, Carbon and Emery Counties. 
VIRGINIA 
Gov. Ralph Northam bans public gatherings of more than 100 people. 
All K-12 schools to close through at least March 27. 
WEST VIRGINIA 
So far, West Virginia has just one coronavirus case. 
WISCONSIN   
Bans on 50 people or more gatherings; bars and restaurants limiting customers. Gov. Tony Evers ordered that child care settings have no more than 10 staffers and 50 children present at the same time.
WYOMING 
Dine in customers banned at restaurants and bars.
Airlines are wrapping up winter-season flights to Jackson Hole weeks earlier than usual. 
The resort and two others in northwest Wyoming — Grand Targhee resort and Snow King Resort — have shut down early. 

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