SF Bay Area Orders Shelter in Place for 7 Million Residents

Few pedestrians walk along Powell Street during commute hours on March 16, 2020 in San Francisco, California. Public areas around the country are mostly empty as people around the country are staying away from from large gatherings in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO—The usual morning bumper to bumper traffic disappeared from freeways and streets. Previously congested bridges are empty. Cities are significantly quieter and emptier, resembling ghost towns.

On Monday, seven Bay Area health officials ordered shelter in place in six counties. People are required to stay home and should only go out when it is essential to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19.