We've heard it from doctors and public health officials.
"Please be careful about New Year’s Eve parties," said Dr. George Rutherford of UCSF, one of many to urge people to start the new year off on the right foot, COVID-free.
Now police are adding to the chorus, with a warning that there could be consequences for those who refuse to comply.
"Protocol has been to admonish someone or admonish people, giving them a warning at first… if they continue to violate public health orders, we’ll issue a citation," said San Francisco Police Department spokesman Robert Rueca, who added that sometimes officers will go straight to the citation.
The city is not holding any of its usual sanctioned events or big bar bashes. Even the usual fireworks show, which can draw over 100,000 people to the Embarcadero, has been canceled.
"We are discouraging any social gatherings. We are going to be out and we will be having additional officers out in areas where traditionally people have gathered," said Officer Rueca.
His colleague with the San Jose Police Department, Sergeant Christian Camarillo, echoed that message.
"We’re hoping that the public here in San Jose, our citizens, they help slow the spread of COVID. And obviously that takes community cooperation and self-compliance with health orders."
His department is staffing up to respond to noise complaints and reports of people throwing parties in violation of the order as usual, with an added wrinkle this year.
"There’s still a state mandated curfew of 10 p.m.," he said.
That means gathering with your friends and loved ones for the midnight countdown is strictly prohibited.
