Newsom Announces Curfews for Sonoma and Other Purple Tier Counties

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In an effort to head off a rapid surge in the number of coronavirus cases statewide, Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced that a curfew, described as a “limited stay at home order”, will begin this weekend and affect 94% of the state’s residents. That includes half a million people in Sonoma County.

The curfew, to be imposed in counties now in the state’s most restrictive purple tier, is slated to begin at 10PM Saturday the 21st and limit activities outside the home between the hours of 10PM and 5AM.

The curfew will be in effect until December 21st, and may be extended if needed.

State health officials say the action is being taken in a bid to stem a rising tide of virus cases and hospitalizations in California, which are now increasing at the highest rate since outbreak began last spring. Los Angeles county, the states largest with a population of 10 million, has seen daily cases more than double in the past two weeks.

The restrictions are meant to discourage people from gathering unsafely in social settings, but do allow essential and routine activities to continue such as walking the dog, picking up food and medical supplies, and tending to vulnerable friends and relatives.

In short, essential services and activities will be allowed to continue, but non-essential activities and gatherings will not be permitted.

State health and human services director Dr. Mark Ghaly said the state is acting quickly with tough measures so that a huge surge in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths similar to that occurring in many places nationwide can be avoided.

State officials say similar actions undertaken last spring were proven to work to flatten the curve of infection by reducing the movement and mixing of people, many of whom do no know they have the virus.

Across the nation coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths are rising to levels not seen since the worst of the outbreak last spring. And, in many states, the rates of new cases and hospitalizations are setting new records.

Health experts say the worst of the fall outbreak is occurring in the Midwest in states that acted slowly or never enacted basic coronavirus health guidelines imposed elsewhere. These include requiring the use of masks and limiting the operation of indoor businesses like restaurants, bars and health clubs.