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Despite a state-ordered curfew to curb the spread of COVID-19 starting this weekend, restaurants in Santa Clara County can remain open for take out and people can still go out for a walk.
The only condition? Avoid contact with people from other households.
When the state-ordered nighttime curfew begins at 10 p.m. on November 21, it will be up to local law enforcement to ensure it is enforced.
But unlike the latest curfew in San Jose, enacted by the city during protests against the police murder of George Floyd in May, police said their response this time will be different.
“We had no prior knowledge that the state would impose a curfew,” said Officer Steve Aponte, a spokesperson for the SJPD. “We will not use this curfew as a probable cause to detain people during the hours of curfew.”
In the face of increasing COVID-19 cases, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that 41 counties in California will impose a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. nighttime curfew from November 21 to December 21. These counties, including Santa Clara County, are in the state’s purple level, which is the most restrictive when it comes to reopening.
Under the curfew, restaurants in these counties must close alfresco dining from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., but may remain open for take-out.
Non-essential gatherings and businesses, such as retail stores, movie theaters, gyms, and bars cannot operate after 10 p.m. 17.
However, the closures under the curfew also include drive-in theaters such as West Wind Capitol Drive-in, although it is allowed in the purple level, according to a county spokesperson.
Representatives for West Wind Capitol Drive-in did not respond to requests for comment.
Businesses deemed essential, such as grocery stores, food suppliers, and critical infrastructure manufacturing industries, may remain open after 10 p.m.
People can still shop or walk their dogs after 10 p.m., said Dr Mark Ghaly, Secretary of State for Health and Human Services.
When it comes to law enforcement, Aponte said San Jose police will focus on education rather than citations.
A spokesperson for Santa Clara County said each city’s police department would decide how to enforce the curfew.
Sgt. Michael Low, a spokesperson for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department, said “the curfew will be another tool that MPs can use to enforce the law,” but MPs will focus on more crimes. serious in the community.
Scott Knies, executive director of the San Jose Downtown Association, said the curfew would have limited effect on many downtown businesses as most restaurants close before 10 p.m.
But for those who stay open until midnight, he said it was another restriction they faced during the pandemic.
“We had just made the adjustments with City Council to have our Al Fresco restaurants serve until midnight,” Knies said. “(It’s) just another brick in the wall for businesses that need to function to beat this downward spiral we’re in.”
Some restaurateurs who serve people outside after 10 p.m. said the curfew would hurt, but understood the reason.
“From a business owner’s perspective, it’s just another challenge that’s going to hurt us,” said Randy Musterer, CEO of Sushi Confidential in San Jose and Campbell. “A lot of people like to go out a little later in the evening, have a bite to eat and socialize.”
However, he said people are more likely to drink than to eat later, which is why he believes the state has ordered a curfew.
Cheesecake factory manager Ravi Medheker said the curfew would not necessarily stop gathering where COVID-19 could spread.
“I think they don’t take the other steps necessary to shut down other businesses during the day,” Medheker said. “It’s just about pushing people to end what they’re doing earlier, but not necessarily stopping social gatherings.”
Journalists Lorraine Gabbert, Grace Stetson and Lloyd Alaban contributed to this article
Contact Mauricio La Plante at [email protected] or follow @mslaplantenews on Twitter.
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