California will issue new guidance to state workers Tuesday on working from home, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Sunday.

At a news conference held at the state Office of Emergency Services, Newsom announced the state was strongly encouraging bars, brewpubs, wineries and night clubs to close to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

He announced new restrictions on visits to nursing homes and called for home isolation for seniors over 65 and people with chronic health conditions. He said 335 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in California and six have died.

As of now, state workers must go to work unless they are under quarantine, have reached a telework agreement with a manager or they are using sick leave according to state guidance.

A week ago, CalHR Director Eraina Ortega directed department leaders to “consider all viable options for telework” for their workers, and told the departments that workers could use sick leave to stay home to take care of children with closed schools.

On Tuesday, the administration will provide specific, updated guidance to its HR team regarding state workers, Newsom said.

The state is focused on delineating between “essential” and “nonessential” state employees, and shaping its upcoming guidance around that distinction, Newsom said Sunday.

He said large numbers of state workers are telecommuting now. He mentioned CalPERS by name and a Future of Work Commission that has held its meetings virtually.

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System board of administration announced it was canceling its meetings Monday and Tuesday, but would hold a conference call on whether to approve or reject administrative law judges’ decisions on specific pension case appeals.

This story was originally published March 15, 2020 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Is your state government job ‘essential?’ Newsom administration to tell you on Tuesday."