US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he was finally giving up on quarantining the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, after raising the possibility earlier today and causing turmoil in the region.
The head of state said he had asked the Center for Disease Control (CDC), a national health authority, to issue a “firm” notice discouraging travel to enter or leave these states, without closing down. their borders.
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The American president thus closed a parenthesis that he himself had opened in the middle of the day, when he had mentioned the possibility of quarantining the State of New York, while remaining evasive on the exact scope of this measure.
The world’s leading power, which is hit hard by the Covid-19, now has more than 124,000 confirmed cases and 2,185 dead, including 672 in New York City alone.
“Some would like (the state of) New York to be placed in quarantine because it is a hot spot,” Mr. Trump said as he left the White House.
New York state is by far the most affected by the coronavirus in the United States, with 52,318 cases and 728 deaths.
“New York, New Jersey, maybe one or two other places, parts of Connecticut, I’m thinking about it,” he added, as many jurists questioned the possibility even for the American president of impose such a measure.
The goal? “Limit travel,” he replied. “They’re having trouble in Florida, a lot of New Yorkers are moving south. We don’t want that ”.
“It would be for a short time,” he said, assuring that he had a very good dialogue with the governor of the State of New York, Andrew Cuomo.
The announcements had aroused great excitement in the New York area, whose political leaders had been taken by surprise.
Asked about the possibility of a closure of the state borders decided by Washington, Governor Cuomo had warned, on CNN, that it would be, according to him, an “illegal” decision, akin to “A declaration of war against the States” of the Union.
“I think it would cripple the economy,” he explained. “It would shock the markets on an unprecedented scale. As governor, I will not close my borders ”.
Andrew Cuomo recalled that the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut had already shut down all non-essential activities and called on people to stay home.
“When you lack clarity, it can generate confusion, which can lead to panic”, regretted Saturday the governor of Connecticut, Ned Lamont.
The latter said he had requested clarification from the White House, which explained to him that all the scenarios were on the table, including a “lockdown”, that is to say the ban on entry and exit. of a given state.
“New York, New Jersey and southern Connecticut are the world capital of commerce and finance,” Governor Lamont warned.
“And if you are as keen as the president to see the economy restart,” he continued, “you have to be very careful what you say and what you don’t say”.
A sign that the atmosphere is gradually tending, local police and National Guard soldiers went door-to-door on Saturday in Rhode Island, to warn owners of vehicles registered in New York that they had to Self-confine for two weeks after arriving in this coastal state in northern Connecticut.
Self-containment for travelers coming from New York State is now legally required and can be fined for non-compliance.
“It is a reactionary policy,” denounced Andrew Cuomo. “And I don’t think it’s legal.”
The governor threatened to sue Rhode Island if he did not reverse his decision.
In Florida, Governor Ron De Santis announced measures similar to those taken in Rhode Island and police checkpoints were set up at the state entrance to the north.
Again, for now, it is only a matter of reminding New Yorkers entering Florida that they must self-confine for 14 days, or face a fine.
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