CALIFORNIA – Governor Gavin Newsom announced that mass gatherings should be postponed or canceled statewide to stop the spread of COVID-19 as there are now 198 confirmed cases and four deaths in California.

The updated policy was determined by the state’s public health experts to remain in effect until the end of March. Gatherings that are non-essential must be limited to 250 people. Smaller events may still be held as long as people comply with the social-distancing practice by staying six feet away from others.

Additionally, gatherings of people who are deemed at high risk to contract the infection should be limited to 10 people and utilize social distancing. A gathering was defined by the state as any event that bring people together in one location.

MORE ON THE CORONAVIRUS:

Many are questioning if schools should be closed as most campuses have more than 250 students. At this time schools are considered to be essential gatherings and are still allowed to hold classes. 

The California Interscholastic Federation is cancelling all remaining State Basketball Championship games. The regional finals were scheduled for Thursday, March 12, but it is now on the growing list of cancelled events. Refunds will be available for anyone who purchased tickets for the March 13 to 14 games.

“Changing our actions for a short period of time will save the life of one or more people you know,” said Governor Newsom. “That’s the choice before us. 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. 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.”

Earlier this week Coachella and Stagecoach announced that they are rescheduling their events, both slated for April, until October due to coronavirus concerns. As concerns continue to grow around the spread of the coronavirus, so does the list of event cancellations and postponements. 

There are 18 public health department laboratories that now have COVID-19 testing kits with more labs expected to receive tests soon. 

Princess Cruises announced in light of the global spread of the coronavirus that its cruises will temporarily halt for the next 60 days. Cruises departing March 12 through May 10 will be impacted. For travelers who already canceled their trip, a credit will be automatically applied for future cruises and should process in 10 business days. 

COVID-19 has been officially declared a pandemic, the World Health Organization announced Wednesday.

For the latest updates go to: coronavirus.gov