Jocelyn Gecker and Janie Har – Associated Press March 16, 2020

Officials in six San Francisco Bay Area counties issued a shelter-in-place mandate Monday affecting nearly 7 million people, including the city of San Francisco itself.

The order says residents must stay inside and venture out only for necessities for three weeks starting Tuesday in a desperate attempt by officials to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

If affects the counties of San Francisco, Marin, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and Contra Costa, as well as the city of Berkeley.

“It’s the new normal temporarily to protect public health,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said at a news conference. “These measures will be disruptive to day to day life, but there is no need to panic.”

People should work from home unless they provide essential services, such as public safety, sanitation and medical services. Pharmacies and banks will remain open. Restaurants will be open only for take-out, Breed said.

The dramatic step came as officials across California took increasingly strident steps to separate people and contain the spread of coronavirus, prompting millions of the state’s oldest and youngest residents to stay home Monday.

Freeways normally jammed with rush hour drivers flowed freely, and Starbucks’ shift to take-out only was apparent at locations where tables were removed and drive-through lanes were busy.

Long lines persisted at some grocery stores despite despite officials saying there’s no need to hoard supplies.

Responding to panic buying that has stripped supermarkets, executives of major grocery chains said at Los Angeles press conference there is no food shortage, supply chains are in good shape and clerks are working in the middle of the night to restock shelves and clean.

“There is plenty of product,” said Bryan Kaltenbach, president of Kroger’s Food 4 Less.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday urged the state’s 5.3 million people who are 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions to isolate to protect themselves from the virus. He also called for all bars, wineries, nightclubs and brewpubs to close.

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