California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced an overnight curfew on most residents as surging COVID-19 cases could tax the state's healthcare system.

Newsom announced the new restriction measure on Thursday. Officials call this measure limited stay-at-home order, which mandates people not working in essential jobs to stay home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Saturday.

The order will be until Dec. 21, but it could be extended if infection rates do not improve. The curfew order will involve 94 percent of the state's 40 million residents.

Forty-one out of the state's 58 counties have the most significant increases in the virus cases and have the most severe restriction under the state's system for reopening the economy.

Newsom's announcement comes only a few days after the state implemented stricter restrictions limiting business operations of those 41 counties.

"The virus is spreading at a pace we haven't seen since the start of this pandemic, and the next several days and weeks will be critical to stop the surge. We are sounding the alarm," Newsom said in a statement.

As reported by Associated Press, Newsom usually announces these new restrictions in person. However, he was not able to attend a virtual news conference with the state's top health officials for unknown reasons.

Newsom is facing criticism for attending a party recently. The governor was reportedly spotted at an expensive Napa Valley restaurant with lobbyists despite pleads to avoid multiple households' gatherings.

California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said doing even simple daily activities become higher risk.

Hospitalizations have increased in 14 days by 64 percent. Positivity rate has peaked less than three percent to a seven-day rate of 5.6 percent, Ghaly said.

On Thursday, the state of California recorded 11,478 cases. Ghaly said 12 percent of those cases would be hospitalized in the next two weeks.

The health secretary noted that the overnight restrictions would help them stem the tide and bring the cases down very soon. Ghaly added that this is going to help stop the virus surges faster and avoid more severe restrictions.

California Restrictions

Under the new restrictions, nonessential businesses must close by 10 p.m., while restaurants will be allowed to offer takeout and delivery options.

Ghaly said people would be allowed to do some normal activities like walking the dog. He added that they will still be able to get medical care, pick up prescriptions, and take care of other necessities.

California was the first state to impose a stay-at-home order in March.

Ghaly said health officials have already learned many lessons since then, which allowed them to make more targeted decisions.

The first lockdown in the spring affected all residents 24/7, but the state's health secretary said that overnight movements are more likely to involve social activities.

These will usually cause an increased risk of infection, especially if people drink and let down their guard on precautions like wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

Meanwhile, Curt Hagman, chairman of the San Bernardino County board of supervisors, said he does not see curfew as a good way to drive home the message that residents should keep their guard up against the coronavirus.

Hagman agreed that people have COVID fatigue, letting their guard down, and see an increase in the cases around the county. However, he said it's very impractical to enforce a curfew as the state doesn't have the resources to arrest people "if they're out at 10:30 at night."