Newsom recommends statewide event cancellations to curb coronavirus spread

OAKLAND - Gov. Gavin Newsom took new action Wednesday night to curb the spread of coronavirus in California by recommending that communities cancel gatherings with more than 250 peoplethrough the end of the month - a dramatic statewide response to the growing pandemic.

The new policy, which applies to all non-essential professional and social events, defines "gathering" as an event or convening that brings together people in a single space at the same time regardless of whether they are indoors or outdoors, such as an auditorium, stadium or conference room.

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Newsom said the decision was made by the state's public health experts. They suggested that organizers should only hold events with fewer than 250 people if they can implement social distancing of at least 6 feet between people. Meanwhile, no more than 10 high-risk individuals should gather together - and only if they maintain that distance.

The move vastly expands the number and type of events that face cancellation. They include everything from local 5K running races to charity pancake breakfasts, not to mention concerts in small venues and meetings.

"Each of us has extraordinary power to slow the spread of this disease. Not holding that concert or community event can have cascading effects - saving dozens of lives and preserving critical health care resources that your family may need a month from now," Newsom said in a statement. "The people in our lives who are most at risk - seniors and those with underlying health conditions - are depending on all of us to make the right choice.

The recommendations in the state of nearly 40 million people are similar to those enacted by three local jurisdictions thus far in California - Santa Clara, San Francisco and Oakland. The areas limited the policy to 1,000 people, but made the ordinances enforceable by law.

The cancellation or postponement of such large gatherings as conventions, sporting events, theater, concerts and other activities will have long-ranging economic impacts throughout the state and nationwide.

"It's the right thing to do and I hope all Californians heed the governor's declaration," Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a statement. "We have the opportunity to prevent needless suffering and sickness and buy the world time to develop treatments."

Tonight's announcement followed a flurry of late-breaking coronavirus news. The NBA abruptly announced Wednesday night that it will suspend its season after a player tested positive for the virus, while President Donald Trump decided to suspend all travel for foreign nationals from the European Union for 30 days starting Friday.

Shortly before Newsom's announcement, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced that her state will issue orders canceling all gatherings with more than 250 people for the next four weeks.

California officially confirmed 177 cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday morning, which does not include any of the passengers on the Grand Princess docked at the Port of Oakland. Of those cases, 32 have been contracted through community transmission, meaning the source was unknown and the patients did not travel overseas.

In Washington state, where more than 375 residents have been diagnosed with the virus and 31 people have died, Gov. Jay Inslee today announced a ban on events and gatherings with more than 250 people. But those restrictions were limited to three counties at the epicenter of the outbreak.

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