Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he was finally giving up 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.
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 deaths, 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,” Donald Trump said as he left the White House. This state is by far the most affected by the coronavirus in the country, with 52,318 cases and 728 deaths.
An “illegal” decision
The announcements had aroused great excitement in the New York area, whose political leaders had been taken by surprise. The governor of the State of New York, Andrew 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. This would cause a shock for 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 at home.
“When you lack clarity, it can generate confusion, which can lead to panic, regretted, for his part, the governor of Connecticut, Ned Lamont. New York, New Jersey, and southern Connecticut are the business and financial capital of the world. If you are as keen as the President to see the economy restart, you have to be very careful what you say and what you don’t say ”.
New Yorkers forced to self-confine in certain states
A sign that the atmosphere is gradually tending, local police and National Guard soldiers went door to door Saturday in Rhode Island, to go and warn owners of vehicles registered in New York that they had to go. self-confine for two weeks after their arrival 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.
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