California Capitol closes to public after Sacramento County issues ‘stay at home’ order

The California Capitol building in Sacramento has closed its doors to the public in an effort to slow the spread of a coronavirus that’s sickened hundreds of Californians, killed nearly a dozen and all but halted ordinary life in the Golden State.

The Senate and Assembly Joint Rules Committee issued a memo on Tuesday that said Sacramento County’s order for residents to stay at home necessitated the building’s closure to the public.

“Pursuant to Sacramento County’s ‘stay at home’ directive issued today, the State Capitol Building and the (Legislative Office Building) are closed to the public, effective March 18, 2020, until further notice,” an internal memo sent to staffers said.

Legislative staff members were instructed to use their ID badges to get into the building if they have “essential government business” to conduct.

The order follows the Legislature’s unanimous vote to recess from March 20 until April 13, though that date is subject to change. The decision concluded an unprecedented, tense day at the Capitol during which the Senate and Assembly approved a $1.1 billion relief package to help send support to hospitals, facilities, local governments and schools in the thick of the public health emergency.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the funding legislation on Tuesday.

The Capitol had closed to the public this past weekend and tours had already been indefinitely suspended. The coronavirus called COVID-19, however, has prompted minute-by-minute changes through executive orders, legislative action and city orders.

The building’s official closure is the latest in a long list of shuttered buildings that include breweries, wineries and restaurants, which have been asked to provide only takeout or delivery orders. Newsom has urged Californians older than 65 to self-quarantine, has recommended residents avoid gathering and encouraged social distancing to “flatten the curve” of infection.

On Tuesday, Newsom said the 98.8 percent of California school children currently at home due to school closures should not expect to return to their classrooms before summer.

California had recorded 472 positive cases and 11 deaths as of Tuesday, but those numbers are expected to increase as testing becomes more available. Many people are not symptomatic yet or won’t show symptoms at all, public health officials say.