British paratroopers enforce curfew in Tel Aviv after King David Hotel bombing, July 1946. Photographer: Haim Fine, Russian Emmanuel collection, from collections of the National Library of Israel.

A curfew is an order which restricts people in their movements. It is very often an order which forbids people to be out on the streets after dark.

Curfews may be made by governments in times of war or civil unrest. This is supposed to stop violence.

Curfews may also be issued to young people. They are told that they have to be indoors after a certain time.