California governor gives outline for lifting virus closures

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)

UPDATE 12:50 p.m. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has revealed an outline for lifting coronavirus restrictions in the nation's most populous state.

Newsom said he wants to see hospitalization numbers flatten and decline before he begins rolling back state-at-home orders.

But he said things won't look the same when the state reopens. He said waiters at restaurants will likely be wearing masks and gloves. And he said public schools could stagger the times when students arrive to maintain social distancing.

California has been under a statewide stay-at-home order since March 19. Since then, more than 2 million Californians have filed for unemployment benefits.

Watch a livestream of Newsom's press conference here.

PREVIOUS STORY: Gov. Gavin Newsom says he'll reveal plans Tuesday for gradually releasing California from the coronavirus restrictions that have kept 40 million residents indoors for much of the last month.

Newsom on Monday didn't provide specifics or a date for the rollback but said he'll work with the governors of Oregon and Washington on a common plan.

Newsom's monthlong stay-at-home order has shut down many businesses and millions have filed for unemployment. But state and local stay-at-home orders also have been cited as helping slow the rise in COVID-19 cases.

Only a modest increase in hospitalizations was reported this weekend.