On Dec. 3, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that five regions in California―the Bay Area, Greater Sacramento, Northern California, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California―would all be under a stay-at-home order due to high rates of COVID-19 patients in immediate care units. 

The order has not yet been put into effect, however, Newsom is requiring each region with less than 15% ICU capacity to implement the order within 48 hours. These regions will be prohibiting private gatherings, requiring masking and social distancing at all times and reducing retail and other essential businesses to 20% capacity. 

Although Biola has not yet announced their decision for reopening campus during spring 2021, the lockdown order will only be implemented for three weeks.