Columbia City Council Declares Curfew Effective Wednesday, March 18
Mar 18, 2020 05:25PM ● By David DykesThe Columbia City Council has confirmed Mayor Steve Benjamin’s state of emergency declaration of a city-wide curfew that goes into effect Wednesday, March 18.
In the interest of public safety, 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 are police officers, firefighters, active duty military, health care providers, and public works and utility workers employed by a public utility, the city of Columbia, Richland and Lexington counties, the state of South Carolina and the federal government.
“This was a very difficult decision and not a measure we take lightly,” Benjamin said. “To get through this current public health crisis and to save lives, it will have to be a collective effort between all of us.”
The emergency ordinance will be terminated when another ordinance is issued, or when it automatically expires after 61 days.