President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus as he walks to Marine One to depart the White House, Saturday, March 28, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 12:55 PM PT — Saturday, March 28, 2020
President Trump is considering a short-term quarantine for New York and surrounding areas amid the coronavirus pandemic. Ahead of his departure to Virginia, the president said a number of New Yorkers have been fleeing the state, which he added is not good.
In response, he may enact a strict two-week quarantine for New York, New Jersey and possibly parts of Connecticut to stop Americans from creating more virus hot spots.
“Some people would like to see New York quarantined because it’s a hot spot, New Jersey, maybe a few other places,” he said. “There’s a possibility that sometime today we’ll quarantine short-term, two weeks, on New York, probably New Jersey, certain parts of Connecticut.”
WATCH: NEWS President Trump says he is considering an enforceable quarantine of hot spots in northeast to restrict travel. #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/luFfAL2vfv
— Kelly O’Donnell (@KellyO) March 28, 2020
The president reaffirmed this possibility later in the day on Twitter.
I am giving consideration to a QUARANTINE of developing “hot spots”, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. A decision will be made, one way or another, shortly.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2020
A medical worker holds an umbrella as she checks to to see if anyone is waiting in line outside a COVID-19 testing center at Elmhurst Hospital Center in New York, Saturday, March 28, 2020. The hospital is caring for a high number of coronavirus patients. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
If enacted, he said the quarantine would consistent of “enforceable travel restrictions.” He went on to speak about ventilators, saying he has put the private sector to work like never before. He has reaffirmed that the U.S. will have “plenty” of ventilators.
“We’re having a really good dialogue with Governor Cuomo, we’ve supplied him with a lot of things,” stated President Trump. “We’re giving him an extra four medical centers, tents, beyond what we’ve already given.”
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has denied discussing the possible quarantine with the president.
“I spoke to the president about the ship coming up…, I didn’t speak to him about any quarantine,” he said. “I haven’t had those conversations, I don’t even know what that means.”
#DEVELOPING: New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo denies discussing a possible NYC quarantine with President Trump:
“I haven’t had those conversations, I don’t even know what that means.” pic.twitter.com/fFUoahXmTv
— Jennifer Franco (@jennfranconews) March 28, 2020
Meanwhile, the governor of Rhode Island has ordered authorities to begin searching for New Yorkers seeking refuge from the coronavirus outbreak. This week, Gina Raimondo instituted a mandatory 14-day quarantine for everyone and warned that those who do not comply may face possible fines or jail time.
I’ve been asked about travel from New York in light of the number of cases there – more than 30,000. Given those numbers, I am issuing an executive order mandating that anyone who’s traveled to NY by any form of transportation must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in RI.
— Gina Raimondo (@GovRaimondo) March 26, 2020
She announced the National Guard would be stationed at bus and train stations. They will conduct door-to-door searches to find people disobeying quarantine.
We’ll be stationing National Guard members at bus stops & at the train station to gather contact information from travelers and inform them of the quarantine. State Police will help us inform those who travel by car.
— Gina Raimondo (@GovRaimondo) March 26, 2020
State police have also been deployed to pull over cars with New York license plates.
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Members of the 1207th Rhode Island National Guard unit stand at the Westerly, R.I., Amtrak station Friday, March 27, 2020, to inform passengers from New York of the 14-day quarantine restrictions if disembarking in Rhode Island ordered by Gov. Gina Raimondo. At the time of the photo, no passengers had disembarked at the station. (Harold Hanka/The Sun via AP)
