The California COVID Curfew Starts Tomorrow And We Have A Few Questions (And Answers)
The California curfew begins tomorrow and 94% of residents are being called to stay home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly until December 21.
This comes as the state's coronavirus cases surge to startlingly high numbers — yesterday, LA County alone saw 5,031 new cases in one day.
Officials are calling this a "limited stay at home order," but what does this REALLY mean?
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Yes, I can walk my dog at 11 p.m. if that’s your tradition and routine.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, California Health and Human Services Secretary
Here is the California curfew, explained, in non-government speak.
Why is it just happening at night?
Mostly, they're trying to crack down on people going to bars, so while this order will definitely affect businesses negatively, it's not going to necessarily stop people from gathering.
They don't want you going out and doing activities that would result in "reduced inhibition and reduced likelihood for adherence to safety measures" like mask-wearing and social distancing.
TLDR: This is to stop nightlife.
Does everyone HAVE to be inside their homes by 10 p.m. every night?
Not necessarily. Dr. Mark Ghaley said in a news conference yesterday that people can still walk their dogs, go to the grocery store or drugstore and "take care of essential needs."
This is mostly for nonessential businesses to shut down in-person services at 10 p.m. so that people can't congregate socially.
Takeout and delivery services can continue past 10 p.m. as per usual.
TLDR: No.
Will cops be out in the streets handing out citations or arresting people for being out late?
No. They don't have the resources for that, says Curt Hagman, chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to ABC News.
This order is more of an education and persuasion, an LAPD Media Relations source told Narcity, and if officers see people out, they will, most likely, just remind them of the order.
TLDR: No!
Is this REALLY all that similar to the spring lockdown, like they say?
Yes and no. This order focuses just on overnight activities involving social interaction and not daily activities.
It might not stay that way, though. If things don't get better, Los Angeles could see another stay-at-home order as soon as Sunday.
TLDR: Just stay home, for now, California.