Four more states go in to lockdown bringing the total across the US to 14 in bid to halt the spread of coronavirus
- Michigan, Indiana, Oregon and West Virginia became latest to issue a lockdown
- Governors signed the executive orders that came into effect from midnight
- Massachusetts and Maryland also 'advised' non-essential businesses to close
- California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania already on lockdown
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Four states have joined 10 others and gone in to lockdown from today in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus.
Michigan, Indiana, Oregon and West Virginia on Monday issued stay-at-home orders in their states that came into effect from midnight.
Massachusetts Govenor Charlie Baker announced a stay-at-home 'advisory' for the state's nearly 7 million residents, but stopped short of ordering a strict curfew.
Maryland Govenor Larry Hogan also ordered all non-essential businesses to close by 5pm yesterday but did not declare a full lockdown.
The executive orders forbid all residents from leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary.
Drive-through coronavirus testing site (above) opened by Virginia-Arlington County and Virginia Hospital Center in Virginia. The state was the latest to go into lockdown on Tuesday
Gov. Eric Holcomb during a news conference at the Statehouse, Indianapolis, last week. On Monday he issued an executive order locking down the state
The order in Michigan is effective at 12.01am on Tuesday and will last for at least the next three weeks, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement.
Grocery stores, pharmacies and other businesses that provide essential goods and services will continue to operate.
In Oregon swimming pools, outdoor sports courts, playground areas and state parks will also be closed, along with hair salons, bowling alleys, spas and gyms, to museums and yoga studios.
When citizens do leave their homes for essential reasons, such as going to the grocery store or for a walk, they should maintain at least six feet from any other person, officials said.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said he was calling on all resident to hunker down to help flatten the curve of the virus spread to ensure the state's health care system is able to treat the most vulnerable.
Quieter than usual scenes in downtown Portland, Oregon, over the weekend as public gatherings were limited. From today the whole state has gone into lockdown
Kevin Johnson wearing a mask and gloves while helping unload groceries for his friend in Flint, Michigan, yesterday. All Michigan residents and most businesses are required to stay in their homes under an executive order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
He said in a statement: 'I'm telling you, the next two weeks are critical - that's March 24 through April 7 - if we're going to slow the spread, and we must slow the spread. We need to slow the spread now.'
Virginia reported 35 more cases on Monday with a total of 254 and seven deaths, while Indiana has 259 infections and also seven people have died.
Michigan has so far reported 1,328 infections with 15 deaths, while Oregon suffered 191 cases with five fatalities.
Similar sweeping mandates have been made in other states, including California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
In California, many people flocked to beaches and parks over the weekend, prompting a response from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Michigan Governor Whitmer said in the release 'In just 13 days, we've gone from 0 to over 1,000 COVID-19 cases. This is an unprecedented crisis that requires all of us working together to protect our families and our communities.
'The most effective way we can slow down the virus is to stay home. I know this will be hard, but it will be temporary. If we all come together, get serious, and do our part by staying home, we can stay safe and save lives.'
So far nationally there have been more than 46,000 cases of the virus in the US with more than 580 deaths.
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