Everyone living in California has been ordered to stay at home to help slow down the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
"We were confident, we are confident that the people of the state of California will abide by it. They'll do the right thing," Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
It's the strictest prevention measure taken in the U.S. so far. The order, which went into effect Thursday evening, requires California's 40 million residents to remain indoors and only leave their homes if it's absolutely necessary.
Those activities include leaving to buy groceries, get gas and pick up medication at pharmacies. Other essential services like health care and public safety operations, as well as restaurants offering takeout or delivery, will also remain open.
At least 205 people have died from the coronavirus in the U.S. and more than 14,000 Americans have gotten infected.
In a letter sent to President Trump on Thursday, Gov. Newsom estimated that more than half of the state's population — about 25.5 million people — would likely be diagnosed with the virus in the next two months. He asked the president to deploy a U.S. Navy hospital ship to help deal with the outbreak.
Although Newsom's stay-at-home order does not have an end date attached to it, he urged the public to remember that it's not permanent.
"This is a moment in time and we will meet this moment together. ... If we're to be criticized at this moment, let us be criticized for taking this moment seriously. Let us be criticized for going full force and meeting this virus head on."
Contains footage from CNN.
