This story was updated at 2:50 p.m.

Officials in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are asking residents to avoid all but necessary travel in order to limit exposure to and slow the spread of the coronavirus. But none have gone as far as leaders in states like California and New York, where full-fledged shelter-in-place orders were announced in recent days.

[Read the latest updates about coronavirus in our region here.]

Here is what we know about these local restrictions.

What exactly is Maryland saying?

Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday ordered all non-essential businesses to close by 5 p.m. But he did not issue more restrictive shelter-in-place orders.

“Let me be clear: We are not issuing or ordering a shelter-in-place directive or forcing people to stay home,” Hogan said. “However we are telling all Marylanders to follow all of the directives we’ve already issued and to follow state law against crowds of more than 10 people and we are telling you unless you have an essential reason to leave your house, then you should stay in your homes.”

What’s considered an essential business in Maryland?

The state-issued guidance to try to clarify different kinds of businesses that are considered “critical” under federal guidelines. That includes pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturers, lodging, janitorial services, hospitals, banks, etc. It’s a fairly long list and you can find it all here.
How about grocery stores?

Yes, they’re included, as are drug stores and convenience stores — even medical marijuana dispensaries and pet stores.

What’s the latest from the District?

Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday again urged people to remain home as much as possible. “What we know is that we have basically closed down the District, so the gathering places have been shut down,” said Bowser.

So is the District considering that a lockdown of sorts?

No. Bowser was also clear about that. “What a shelter-in-place says is you can never leave the house,” she said. “What we are telling people is to only leave your house for essential activities.”

Did Bowser provide any additional information about what’s an essential activity?

There’s no strict definition, but it’s broadly considered to include basic activities such as grocery shopping, heading to the doctor or drug store, going to the bank or taking a walk in your neighborhood.

But even while conducting those activities, D.C. officials are urging people to keep their distance from one other, and not linger for too long.

What additional measures did Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announce today?

He ordered schools closed through the end of the academic year and said restaurants would need to close their dining rooms. Recreational businesses were also ordered to shut.

Restaurants will be permitted to serve carryout, curbside, and delivery only. Personal care services like barbershops, spas and massage parlors will need to close. Nonessential retail businesses can remain open, Northam said, provided they restrict entry to 10 people or fewer.

Are the local officials practicing what they preach?

Hogan certainly said as much Monday. “I’m following the same advice I’m giving everyone else,” he said, adding that he was practicing social distancing, frequently washing his hands and minimizing travel. What was undeniable was that throughout both Bowser’s and Hogan’s news conferences, speakers kept their distance from one another. And in both cases, everyone but the person doing sign language largely kept their hands clasped, either at their front or at their back.

Can restaurants still provide take-out meals?

Yes. In fact, Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz urged restaurants to continue offering carryout services. The same applies to D.C. and Virginia, too.

How do the jurisdictions plan to enforce the local restrictions on non-essential travel?

That’s yet to be seen. But Bowser specified that police would be empowered to disperse any large groups of people — including those playing pickup basketball or soccer games.

Concerned that people were still flocking to the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms despite requests not to, D.C. extended road closures on Sunday to further restrict access to the area. She asked the police department to work with the D.C. National Guard to enforce it.

Are local actions consistent with what’s happening elsewhere in the country?

Yes, broadly speaking. The number of states and local jurisdictions issuing restrictions is growing. New York, California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Nevada and New Jersey were among the first and were soon followed by Delaware, Ohio and Louisiana. Some of them specifically issued stay-at-home orders.

What do these orders have in common?

In most places, businesses deemed non-essential have been ordered to close all physical locations. The federal government gives states broad authority when it comes to designating what’s essential or not, but places like restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hair salons and retail shops have generally been categorized as non-essential.

Do you have more information about the government’s ability to enforce these orders?

It isn’t entirely clear what powers the government has to enforce shelter-in-place orders. Most states have made violating the orders a misdemeanor, often punishable by a fine.

The first test of emergency powers has been closing non-essential businesses. Businesses in D.C. that don’t comply with Mayor Muriel Bowser’s executive order can face criminal and civil penalties, including up to a $1,000 fine, or lose their license.

Maryland state and local police say they would arrest those who flouted the rules on gym, movie theater and eat-in bar and restaurant closures. Maryland State Police officials said they would first try to educate business owners, and if they didn’t comply, they’d work with local state’s attorneys to issue a criminal summons. Violation of a governor’s executive order is punishable with a fine of up to $5,000 or one year in jail, or both.

Virginia business operators violating an executive order could face a number of punishments.

What exactly is the National Guard’s role?

All three local jurisdictions have activated the National Guard as part of states of emergency, but what role they might have in terms of forcing people to remain at home has not been specified. Officials from the Maryland National Guard say they will support police if requested.

This story was updated with additional information about new local restrictions.