President Donald Trump said at Monday's press conference that he is not yet ready to recommend a nationwide curfew to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but that there may be certain "hot spots" across the country where they would be needed.
One state and multiple cities already are taking the initiative to impose curfews to enforce "social distancing" after certain hours.
New Jersey has imposed a statewide curfew between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Gov. Phil Murphy announced the curfew on Monday, saying that all residents must remain in their homes and that casinos, restaurants, bars, movie theaters and gyms must be closed.
Hoboken had previously announced its own curfew, and the the list of cities has been growing. Portland, Maine; Palm Beach, Florida; and Little Rock, Arkansas; have imposed their own curfews, and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday he is considering "everything" to fight the virus, including a curfew.
San Francisco residents have been told go to a step further and shelter at home for the next three weeks.
Portland's move was aimed primarily at St. Patrick's Day celebrations, and targets bars and other places where people socialize. Those establishments must be closed between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. for the rest of the week, reports The Press-Herald.
Palm Beach's curfew begins Tuesday night, and is in effect until further notice, reports WFLX.com. It goes from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m.
Little Rock's curfew begins Wednesday and lasts from midnight to 5 a.m, reports, THV11.com. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said the curfew will be reevaluated after two weeks.
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico announced an islandwide curfew that allows residents to leave their homes only between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. to buy essential items, go to doctor's appointments or work or aid children or the elderly, NBC News reported.
The only businesses allowed to be open are supermarkets, drugstores, banks and gas stations.
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