California authorities to impose curfew in purple tier counties from November 21

Event

Authorities in California have stated that they will impose a curfew between 22:00 and 05:00 (local time) from Saturday, November 21, for all counties in the state currently in the purple tier (the highest in a four-scale) for risk of spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The measure, which will be in place until December 21, encompasses 41 counties where all non-essential work and gatherings will be banned during curfew hours. Those in affected areas will not be prevented from buying food, exercising pets, or getting take-out food during these hours. A list of counties in the purple tier can be found here. 

US officials, in agreement with their Canadian and Mexican counterparts, announced that they will extend the closure of the land border with these two countries until at least December 21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All nonessential travel, including recreation and tourism, will be prohibited; however, freight and medical transport are exempt from the ban. The restrictions do not cover travel by air or essential business travel.

Authorities have prohibited those from certain countries deemed high-risk from traveling to the US. There are some exemptions to these measures for essential travel from some countries. Details on countries from which travel is prohibited and further details on exceptions to restrictions can be found here.

As of Friday, November 20, there have been 11,710,084 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the US with 252,484 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. 

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.

• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.

• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.