Only a week ago Governor Newsom “pulled the brake” on California’s reopening, including issuing a travel advisory. However, as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, the California Department of Public Health (“the Department”) has issued a limited stay-at-home order that will go into effect Saturday, November 21, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. PST. The Department also issued a Questions and Answers page regarding the limited stay-at-home order.

The order applies to counties in California’s Purple Tier, the designation for those areas with the most widespread transmission of COVID-19. Many of the most populous counties including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange are currently included in the Purple Tier.

Under the order, individuals in these counties must stay home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. except for those activities associated with the operation, maintenance, or usage of critical infrastructure or required by law. Members of the same household are permitted to leave their residence, lodging, or temporary accommodation, as long as they do not interact with anyone outside their household. A business that is not deemed essential must also close between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

If a county moves to the Purple Tier after November 21, 2020, the order will apply to that county at 10:00 p.m. PST of the second day following such move. The order is set to expire December 21, 2020, but may be extended as deemed necessary.

Jackson Lewis is monitoring COVID-19 developments that affect employers.