SACRAMENTO, Calif. (NewsNation Now) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom is imposing an overnight curfew as the state’s coronavirus cases continue to rise. Newsom announced Thursday a limited stay-at-home order in 41 counties that account for nearly the entire state population of just under 40 million people.
“This Limited Stay at Home Order will reduce opportunities for disease transmission with the goal of decreasing the number of hours individuals are in the community and mixing with individuals outside of their household,” Dr. Erica Pan with California Department of Public Health wrote in a statement. “Every intervention to decrease mixing of households is critical during this unparalleled increase in case rate rise of about 50 percent during the first week in November.”
Beginning Saturday, all non-essential work, travel, and gatherings must cease between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The stay-at-home order will last for 30 days.
The decision comes only days after the state-imposed restrictions limiting business operations in those 41 counties, which have the most significant increases in virus cases.