California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered a month-long 10 p.m. curfew limiting in-home social gatherings as well as activities outside of homes starting on Saturday.

"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. "It is crucial that we act to decrease transmission and slow hospitalizations before the death count surges."

The requirement will be effective in counties in the state's most restrictive purple tier, which applies to 94 percent of the state's population including in Los Angeles and San Diego. San Francisco, which moved from the least-restrictive yellow to red tier this week, will not be affected by the curfew.

(With input from AFP)