Texas mayor issues curfew as coronavirus cases spike in state

A Houston suburb mayor has issued a curfew for her city following a massive spike in the number of new COVID-19 cases in Texas and across the country.

Galena Park Mayor Esmeralda Moya instituted the curfew after a Harris County judge raised the public threat level to the most critical and recommended that people stay home. 

“It is crucial to continue to practice good hygiene, stay home as much as possible, avoid unnecessary trips, gatherings, and wear a face-covering at all times when you leave your home,” Moya said in a statement late Friday, Reuters reported.  

The curfew will run daily from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. until further notice, according to the statement. 

Texas, which has seen a record number of daily new cases this week, took a step backward in its economic reopening plan, as Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Friday banned bars from serving alcohol and limited restaurants to serving at 50 percent of their indoor capacity.

Florida, which also has had a grim record-setting week, prohibited its bars from serving alcohol as well.

The U.S. saw more than 45,000 new cases total on Friday, a record high.