California Governor Newsom yesterday issued an executive order that
reserves the right to commandeer hotels and other similar
facilities to serve as facilities for dealing with individuals
affected with Covid-19.
Under the California Emergency
Services Act (Ca. Gov. Code § 8550 et seq.), the Governor
is authorized to commandeer or use any private property or
personnel deemed necessary in the exercise of emergency powers
during a state of war or state of emergency. The state must pay the
reasonable value of the private property or personnel
commandeered.
According to the executive order, the California Health and
Human Services Agency and the Office of Emergency Services are
supposed to identify and otherwise make available facilities that
would serve as quarantine, isolation and treatment facilities for
individuals suffering from Covid-19, or that have had high risk
exposure and are thought to be in the incubation period. The order
directs the State to try to
