The curfew is aimed at preventing the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the territory.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Carvin Malone said Cabinet made the decision to enact the curfew following a special meeting held on Sunday, March 22.

“We noted that all businesses and services, and all recreational facilities be ordered to close by 8 pm and remain closed until 6 am daily with effect from Sunday, March 22, 2020, and will continue until April 17, 2020, in accordance to Section 15 of the Public Health Ordinance (Cap.194), in the first instance.

Social gatherings now reduced to maximum 20 persons

As a further precautionary measure, Malone said Cabinet also decided to reduce the maximum number of persons allowed to gather at any given time.

“We have signed an order, in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance (Cap.194) to prohibit all non-essential gatherings of 20 persons – this is down from 30 – or more with effect from Monday, March 23, 2020 until Friday, April 17, 2020, in the first instance,” he said.

The minister said the time periods will be reviewed, after the deadline dates, to determine whether they should be extended or discontinued in the territory.