Skip to content
Independent and accessible public media is needed more than ever.
Help us continue keeping communities informed and inspired.
Keep public media independent and accessible
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Health Care
  •  

Sacramento County Directs All Residents To Stay Home To Prevent Coronavirus Spread

Tuesday, March 17, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

A view of downtown Sacramento in 2019.

Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

Sign up for our daily newsletter answering your questions about the coronavirus here

Editor's Note: As of 11:59 p.m. on March 19, these directives are a legal order for residents to stay at their place of residence except for essential activities from the Sacramento County health department.

Updated March 19, 11:20 a.m.

In their strongest stand against the spread of the coronavirus yet, Sacramento County health officials are ordering all residents to stay home "to the maximum extent possible" except for visiting essential sites.

"This means exactly that: stay at home," Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna said on CapRadio Tuesday.

NIAID-RML via AP

Coronavirus In California: Latest Updates And Resources

Sacramento County Health Director Dr. Peter Beilenson said the directive is in place immediately and will last indefinitely.

“This is until further notice and that will probably be months," Beilenson said. "It depends on the epidemic.”

The move comes one day after seven California counties around the Bay Area issued "shelter in place" orders that restrict residents to essential trips, such as to hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations.

The new Sacramento County directive calls on all businesses to telecommute, with only employees who can’t perform “essential duties” from home physically coming in to work.

CDC via AP

Health Care

California Coronavirus Updates: Nail Salons, Other Services Can Open Next Week

It also says there should be no gatherings of any size, and asks that seniors 65 or older and those with chronic health conditions stay home and avoid contact with people not in their household.

"People can still engage in all the essential functions of life, like grocery shopping, essential medical appointments, and getting outdoors for a run or a walk, as long as it's at a safe distance from others," Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg tweeted. "Life will change, but there's no reason to panic."

In an interview with CapRadio, Steinberg wasn't able to say what would happen if people didn't follow the directive, but that there could be law enforcement options.

"The whole nation is dealing with this but we can be a model for how to address this with the urgency that it demands while treating each other with generosity and kindness, looking out for one another and adapting in a way that will enable us to all get through this together," Steinberg said.

The directive does say those most at risk can leave their homes to do things such as visit parks or walk the dog, as long as they practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from others.

"Although community mitigation measures can be disruptive, these recommendations are to protect the public’s health," health officials said in the release.

Essential sites are defined as:

  • Health care facilities
  • Grocery stores
  • Pharmacies
  • Hardware stores/plumbers/electricians for emergency services
  • Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
  • Newspapers, television, radio and other media services
  • Gas stations and auto supply, auto repair and related facilities
  • Banks and related financial institutions
  • Plumbers, electricians, exterminators and others who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences
  • Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers

Beilenson said the directive is needed because most people with COVID-19 have no or mild symptoms. Those people can be shedding the virus for up to 14 days even without showing any symptoms.

"There will be significantly more asymptomatic people testing positive as we get more tests," Beilenson said.

This story is developing and will be updated.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Coronavirus

  • NIAID-RML via AP

    Coronavirus In California: Latest Updates And Resources

    The coronavirus has impacted nearly every aspect of life in California and around the world. Here are resources and all our coverage at CapRadio and NPR.

    Related Stories

  • AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

    What Does Sacramento's 'Stay At Home' Order Mean?

    Friday, June 19, 2020
    Sacramento County issued an order for all residents to stay home to limit the spread of the coronavirus, which now runs indefinitely. Here's what it means for residents.
  • NIAID-RML via AP

    New Coronavirus Guidelines And A Check In With San Joaquin County

    Wednesday, March 18, 2020
    Guidelines surrounding COVID-19 are ever-changing. Sacramento leaders say social distancing should be practiced for months, not weeks. Today we’ll check in the new guidelines with San Joaquin County and Stockton officials.

 Coronavirus

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Health Care Stories

Source: Guttmacher Institute; Credit: Haidee Chu and Kristin Gourlay/NPR

Here's where abortions will likely be banned or strictly limited post Roe

June 24, 2022

Kris Hooks / CapRadio

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

June 24, 2022

AP Photo/Eric Risberg

Interview: Infectious outbreaks may lead to discrimination. Here’s why we should avoid that.

June 27, 2022

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: Pfizer says tweaked vaccine offers better protection against omicron

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Sacramento’s homeless population spikes 67% to nearly 9,300 since 2019

California coronavirus updates: Court revives block of federal vaccination mandate

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: Pfizer says tweaked vaccine offers better protection against omicron

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Sacramento’s homeless population spikes 67% to nearly 9,300 since 2019

California coronavirus updates: Court revives block of federal vaccination mandate

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.