Trump Reportedly Considering 'Short-Term Quarantine' of New York Tri-State Area (UPDATE)
Trump could enforce restricted travel to and from New York, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut.
UPDATED 3/28/20, 8:30 p.m. ET: Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday to announce a Tri-State quarantine will not be necessary.
See the original story below.
President Trumptold the media that the government is considering a "short-term quarantine" of the state of New York, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut to help curb the coronavirus outbreak that could begin Saturday.
"We're thinking about certain things. Some people would like to see New York quarantined because it's a hotspot," Trump said, per CNN. "We might not have to do it, but there's a possibility that sometime today we'll do a quarantine, short-term, two weeks in New York. Probably New Jersey, certain parts of Connecticut."
As of Saturday, New York had recorded 4,635 reported cases of the novel coronavirus leading to over 500 deaths. The state is America's epicenter for the virus as it is the region with the most confirmed cases. Trump explained that the possible quarantine would be "enforceable" and "restrict travel" to/from certain parts of the Tri-State area. The restricted travel would ideally prevent the virus from spiking in other parts of the country.
"Restrict travel, because they're having problems down in Florida, a lot of New Yorkers going down. We don't want that," Trump continued.
Trump's statement comes after speaking to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Saturday morning. When asked about the possible quarantine during a news conference, Cuomo said the possibility of restricted travel wasn't discussed during their meeting. He also isn't sure how the short-term quarantine would work or if it's even legal.
"I don't even know what that means. I don't know how that could be legally enforceable," the Governor said. "And from a medical point view, I don't know what you would be accomplishing. ... But I can tell you, I don't even like the sound of it."
Cuomo has also decided to move New York's presidential primary from April 28 until June 23 in the wake of the looming quarantine.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont released the following statement on the matter:
