California announces new statewide lockdown to fight surging Covid cases

A sign outside a pharmacy in San Francisco. California is bracing for a wave of cases

Credit: AP

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California’s governor on Thursday announced new statewide bans on gatherings and "non-essential" activities, as hospitals in the nation’s most populous state face being overwhelmed by record Covid-19 cases.

In a move that could plunge the state’s 40 million residents back into lockdown, Gavin Newsom announced new limits that will come into effect once 85 per cent of intensive care unit beds have been filled — a development expected in four of California’s five regions "as early as the next day or two".

"We are announcing and introducing a regional ‘stay-at-home’ order in the state of California, fundamentally predicated on the need to stop gathering with people outside of your household," Mr Newsom said.

Once a region is placed under the new limits — an "emergency brake" which will last for a minimum of three weeks — the gathering of people from different households will be banned.

Bars and personal services such as hair salons will be temporarily closed, and restaurants will only be allowed to offer take-out and delivery.

"We’re also establishing a framework where all non-essential travel is as well temporarily restricted statewide," Mr Newsom said.

Gavin Newsom has pleaded with Californians to follow the new rules

Credit: AP

Hotels will no longer be allowed to cater to tourists, while campgrounds will be closed for overnight stays.

Offices must close, except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible.

Shops will be limited at 20 per cent capacity, while only schools with waivers will be allowed to remain open.

California is experiencing record new cases of Covid-19 in a third wave of the virus, with two days this week in which 113 deaths were recorded, up from around 14 daily fatalities in early November.

The state overall has seen almost 1.3 million cases, and more than 19,400 deaths.

The measures follow similar bans on gatherings that went into place this week in densely populated and badly hit Los Angeles County.

Coronavirus USA Spotlight Chart — cases default

They extend a near-statewide night-time curfew introduced last month in which residents cannot leave their homes between 10pm and 5am except for essential journeys.

But the new, stricter measures still fall short of California’s first lockdown in March, which saw most outdoor activities including beach access and hiking banned.

Anger has been rising in parts of the state including Los Angeles county, where the recent outdoor dining ban and closure of playgrounds have drawn heavy criticism and lawsuits, with some cities openly discussing ways to defy the limits.

Mr Newsom warned that state funds could be withheld from counties that fail to enforce the measures.

"If we don’t act now, our hospital system will be overwhelmed," he said.

"If we don’t act now, we’ll continue to see a death rate climb and more lives lost."