Gavin Newsom: California Seniors ‘Must Practice Home Isolation’ amid Coronavirus

On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) called for all Californians over the age of 65 and others vulnerable to the coronavirus to “practice home isolation.” He also advised bars, night clubs, wineries, and breweries to close across the Golden State.

Newsom shared his recommendations via Twitter:

NEW: Those that are 65 and older or vulnerable to #COVIDー19 must practice home isolation.

Bars, night clubs, wineries, and breweries should close in CA.

Restaurants — focus on takeout for those isolating. Maximize social distancing.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 15, 2020

We’re working in real time to secure hotels, motels, and trailers to house our homeless safely and protect our communities and the spread of #COVIDー19.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 15, 2020

We must protect our most vulnerable to #COVIDー19 and ensure essential parts of our society can keep functioning like:

– our healthcare system
– grocery stores
– pharmacies
– social service providers

And that people who can continue to work safely & remain productive can do so.

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) March 15, 2020

Newsom’s guidance will not be enforced, reported Politico, noting that California has 5.3 million senior residents.

Alcohol-focused businesses are listed as a “non-essential function” in California, said Newsom during a press conference on Sunday. He also advised restaurants to halve their serving capacities towards implementing the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendation to maintain a minimum distance of six feet between patrons.

Californian authorities reported, “As of March 14, 2020, 6 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, there are a total of 335 positive cases and six deaths in California (including one non-California resident). This total does not include passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship currently docked in Oakland.”

Newsom has not ordered a statewide closure of schools, noted Politico, reporting, “The vast majority of schools in California will be closed this week, including those in 24 of the state’s 25 largest districts. Newsom said 85 percent of students in public schools will not have class this week.”

Disneyland closed its amusement park on Saturday following discussions with Newsom, announcing its expectation to re-open near the end of March.

In a Thursday-published interview with Dan Pfeiffer, co-host of Pod Save America and former senior adviser to Barack Obama, Newsom noted his authority as governor to institute martial law, adding that he did not expect to do so.

Follow Robert Kraychik on Twitter @rkraychik.