This Is What a Coronavirus Lockdown Means in Each State

By Pilar Melendez, The Daily Beast

22 March 20

Officials across the U.S. are taking various measures to combat COVID-19. Here is what lockdown looks like in various states as residents are urged to remain indoors.

s the number of coronavirus cases continues to soar across the United States, state officials are racing to curtail the pandemic by taking extraordinary measures—including forcing millions of Americans to remain in their homes in the name of social distancing. 

Over the last week, restaurants, bars, and schools across the United States were shuttered, but several states have ordered lockdowns for their residents—similar to those in China and Italy—in a desperate effort to “flatten the curve.” Here’s a list of state lockdowns, and what they actually mean.

NEW YORK

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a state-wide “stay at home” on Friday, warning New York state’s 19 million residents that those who defy the expansive order could face civil fines. “When I talk about the most drastic action we can take, this is the most drastic action we can take,” Cuomo said.

The restrictions take effect Sunday night and stipulate:

• All New Yorkers are ordered to work from home.


• Employees in essential jobs and government personnel can continue to work.


• Solitary walks and outdoor exercise is permitted but all team sports are banned.


• Residents are allowed to go to the grocery store and run errands.


• Restaurants and bars can still deliver to homes.


• All non-essential businesses state-wide must close their premises.


• Liquor and wine stores are classified as essential so can stay open, as can pharmacies, grocery stores, and restaurants and bars offering take out and delivery only.


• Mass transit and roadways are not affected.

CALIFORNIA

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a state-wide “stay at home” order on Thursday, stating that while “home isolation” is not his preference, it’s necessary to stop the spread of the virus. The city of Los Angeles issued a similar citywide mandate.

While Newson stated that California police will not be actively enforcing the order, the mandate states that failure to comply could result in “a misdemeanor punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.”

“This is not a permanent state, this is a moment in time,” Newsom said. “We will look at these kinds of decisions as pivotal decisions.”

The order states:

• Residents are allowed to run errands to the grocery store and pharmacy.


• Walks outside are permitted while practicing social distancing.


• Employees in essential jobs can continue to work outside the house.


• All other Californians will work from home for the time being.


• Restaurants can deliver to homes.

ILLINOIS 

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday ordered a state-wide “stay-at-home” order, saying that while he “didn’t come to this decision lightly” he believes the aggressive action is necessary to contain the coronavirus spread after speaking with medical experts and mathematicians.

“For the vast majority of you already taking precautions, your lives will not change very much,” Pritzker said.“We don’t know yet all the steps we’re going to have to take to get this virus under control.”

The order, which will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday and continue through April 7, states:  

• All residents must work from home, except for essential personnel.


• Residents may go to the grocery store, pharmacy, and put gas in their cars.


• Walks outside are allowed but must follow social distancing guidelines.


• All non-essential businesses will be shut down.


• Restaurants can still deliver to homes.


• All roads will remain open.


• Grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations still remain open.

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Saturday issued a statewide “stay-at-home” order and mandated all non-essential businesses to close.

“The order provides for certain exceptions, such as obtaining essential goods or services, seeking medical attention, visiting family or close friends, reporting to work, or engaging in outdoor activities,” the governor said in a statement.

The order will go into effect on Saturday at 9 p.m. It prohibits “all gatherings of individuals, such as parties, celebrations, or other social events.”

The exceptions to the order include:

• Grocery stores, farmer’s markets, other food suppliers, liquor stores.


• Post offices, pet stores, gas stations, convenience stores.


• Pharmacies and medical marijuana dispensaries.


• Hardware and home improvement stores.


• Banks and other financial institutions.


• Laundromats, dry cleaning services.

CONNECTICUT

• Gatherings of more than 50 people are banned.


• Bars and restaurants will only be opened for take-out and delivery.


• All clubs, bars, movie theaters, nail salons, hair salons, and gyms to shutdown.


• All indoor shopping malls, amusement parks, and bowling alleys are closed.

LOUISIANA

• Month-long ban on all bars, nightclubs, casinos, movie theaters, gyms, and health clubs.


• Restaurants may be open, but only for take-out and delivery.


• All public gatherings over 50 people are banned.

MINNESOTA

• All bars and restaurants are shut down, but take out and delivery is allowed.


• All bars, nightclubs, casinos, movie theaters, gyms, community clubs to shut.


• Grocery store workers are classified as emergency personnel, allowing them to access free state child care.

NEW JERSEY

• State-wide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.


• No gatherings larger than 50 people.


• All bars and restaurants are shut down, but take out and delivery is allowed.


• All bars, nightclubs, casinos, movie theaters, and gyms are shutdown.


• All indoor shopping malls, amusement parks, and bowling alleys are shutdown.

PENNSYLVANIA

• All businesses not considered “life-sustaining” will be closed starting on Saturday.


• Grocery stores, gas stations, banks, health care providers, and social assistance services still open.


• Restaurants can only offer take-out, delivery, and drive-through services.

WASHINGTON STATE

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee ordered a statewide emergency shutdown on Sunday—the first state to force Americans indoors and the state with the most national deaths due to the coronavirus.  

The order states:

• All restaurants and bars are shut down but can still provide takeout and delivery.


• No gatherings over 50 people.


• Grocery stores and pharmacies are exempt from the ban.