Some local, state and federal agencies have turned to drastic measures to try to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area in California on Monday were put under a shelter-in-place order, which went into effect Tuesday, when U.S. cases eclipsed 6,300 and the death toll surpassed 100. The order impacts roughly 6.7 million people.

In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was considering the same such order for the city of more than 8.3 million people. 

A New York City shelter-in-place order, however, could vary from the one impacting California. States have taken different approaches to containing the spread of the coronavirus, with some shutting down all bars and nightclubs and others only issuing guidance regarding how many people can gather in one place. 

California had 700 confirmed cases and 12 deaths as of Tuesday night, according to the Johns Hopkins University data dashboard. A “shelter-in-place” order can cover a variety of emergencies, including chemical accidents and attacks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The term ‘shelter in place’ means to stay in your home and not leave unless necessary for one of the designated exceptions” listed in the order, according to a FAQ released by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. The department added the order is a "more rigorous form of social distancing." 

The order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday and will stay in place until April 7 and, according to Google, led many in the Bay Area to ask, "What is shelter in place?" 

Can I leave my house?

Yes, under specific circumstances.

According to the order released by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, people can leave their home to perform any of five “essential activities,” though people who are at high risk of severe illness and people who are already sick are urged to stay in their homes unless seeking medical attention. 

“Essential activities,” according to the order: 

Engaging in or performing tasks essential to health and safety, or to the health and safety of family/household members. This includes pets. Examples include picking up medicine, visiting a doctor or getting supplies to work from home.  Obtaining necessary supplies or to deliver supplies to others. Things like groceries count here.  Going for a run, hike, or other outdoor activity, as long as proper social distancing is observed.  To care for a family member or pet in another household To perform work at an essential business (see below) or perform minimum basic operations

People can leave their homes for “healthcare operations.” That doesn’t include “fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities,” the order states. 

What is an essential business? 

Santa Clara’s FAQ includes a list of 21 essential business. Most deal with healthcare or providing food and labor to the public. All of the businesses on the list come with social distancing caveats – for example, if an educational institution is still open, people are to remain six feet away from each other as often as possible.

Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services are included in the list, as are businesses that supply things needed for people to work from home. Businesses “that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate” are also considered essential. 

See the full list here. 

What about other businesses?

Even businesses that aren’t considered “essential” can remain open as long as employees are performing “minimum basic operations.” According to the department of public health, those include: 

The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, ensure security, or for related functions.  The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences. 

How about first responders? 

First responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, law enforcement "and others working for or to support essential businesses" are exempt from the order. 

What’s an 'essential government function?'

“Essential government functions” are “services needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public,” according to the order. Nothing in the order can prohibit any person from performing an essential government function.

How does the order define social distancing?

The order falls in line with other recommendations regarding social distancing. 

Social distancing “includes maintaining at least six feet from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands,” the order states. 

Is there punishment for ignoring the order? 

Yes. The Bay Area’s order is a legal order — breaking it is a misdemeanor "punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both."