Coronavirus: California issues 'stay at home' order to 40 million residents

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State governor Gavin Newsom says California has to "recognize the reality" in order to tackle the virus.

California's 40 million residents have been told to only leave their homes when absolutely necessary during the coronavirus pandemic.

State governor Gavin Newsom issued the state-wide "stay at home" order, which has taken effect from Thursday evening and will remain in place until further notice.

He said the state needed to "recognize the reality" and "make tough decisions", although conceded that home isolation was not his "preferred choice".

The governor said modeling has shown 56% of California residents are expected to contract COVID-19 over the next eight weeks, requiring nearly 20,000 more hospital beds than the state can currently provide.

He warned infection rates are doubling every four days in some parts of the state.

Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest city, is likely to be "disproportionately impacted" in the coming weeks, Mr. Newsom added.

The new order means non-essential services including restaurants, bars and gyms will shut down.

However, home isolation measures will not be enforced by the police.

An empty California beach