San Francisco Goes on 24-Hour Lockdown for Three Weeks: “This is Going to be a Defining Moment”

The city of San Francisco will go on a 24-hour lockdown starting tonight in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Starting at midnight, almost everyone will be banned from leaving their homes except for doctor’s appointments or grocery store runs for at least the next three weeks, San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced Monday.

“This is going to be a defining moment for our city,” Breed said. “We all have a responsibility to do our part to protect our neighbors and slow the spread of this virus by staying at home unless it is absolutely essential to go outside.”

Despite the drastic measures, Breed urged the public to remain calm and said: “that all essential needs will continue to be met.”

Another six Bay Area counties have declared a “shelter in place,” meaning residents have been ordered to stay home unless their work falls under the list of “essential businesses,” which included health care facilities, grocery stores, shelters, media outlets, gas stations and banks. Restaurants will remain open for takeout and delivery only.

San Francisco now joins Italy, Spain, and France, which have all gone under lockdown after reporting high numbers of coronavirus cases.