California governor Gavin Newsom has announced a curfew affecting nearly all of the state's 40 million residents, starting this weekend and to extend for a month, The Guardian reports.
"Due to the rise in Covid-19 cases, CA is issuing a limited Stay at Home Order," he wrote on Twitter. "Non-essential work and gatherings must stop from 10pm-5am in counties in the purple tier. This will take effect at 10pm on Saturday and remain for 1 month. Together--we can flatten the curve again."
Around 94% of the state's residents are in the purple, most restrictive tier. The governor added that if the measures do not succeed in improving infection rates, the curfew could be extended.
More than 18,500 Californians have died so far in the epidemic.