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Columbia Business Monthly

Columbia City Council Declares Curfew Effective Friday, April 10

Apr 09, 2020 08:00PM ● By David Dykes

Columbia City Council has confirmed Mayor Steve Benjamin’s state of emergency declaration of a city-wide curfew that will go into effect Friday, April 10, city officials said. 

The curfew restricts travel and public gatherings from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m., with the exception of persons traveling to and from work and for healthcare.

Also exempted and free to travel to carry out their duties are police officers, firefighters, active duty military, health care providers, and public works and utility workers employed by any public utility, the City of Columbia, Richland and Lexington counties, the state of South Carolina and the federal government.

“City Council enacted the first curfew to make sure Columbia citizens realized the looming health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Now, the most current information we have shows South Carolina will not peak in COVID-19 diagnosed cases until April 29th, more than two weeks away,” Benjamin said. “That’s why it’s crucial our citizens continue isolation and social distancing efforts. Extending the curfew is crucial in making sure our citizens continue to stay home and stay safe.”

The emergency ordinance will be terminated when another ordinance is issued, or it will automatically expire 61 days after enactment, city officials said.