As the United States is hit head-on by the coronavirus epidemic and the country deplores a death toll of 2,000 COVID-19 deaths, including 672 in New York City alone, US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday March 28 that he renounced to quarantine the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, after having raised this possibility earlier today and caused 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 dissuading trips to enter or leave these states, without closing their borders. "The CDC urges residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to avoid non-essential travel (to the country) for the next 14 days with immediate effect," the center said in a short statement released shortly. later Saturday. The American president thus closed a parenthesis that he had himself opened in the middle of the day, when he had mentioned the possibility of placing in quarantine the State of New York, while remaining elusive on the exact scope of this measure.
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The most affected New York State in the United States
The world's leading power, which has been hit hard by the Covid-19, now has more than 124,000 confirmed cases and 2,185 deaths. "Some people would like New York to be quarantined because it's a hot spot," said Donald Trump when leaving 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, some parts of Connecticut, I'm thinking about it," he added, while many jurists questioned the possibility even for the American president of impose such a measure.
The objective? "Limit travel," he replied. "They have problems in Florida, a lot of New Yorkers are moving south. We don't want that."
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"World capital of commerce and finance"
"It would be for a short time," he said, saying he had a very good dialogue with New York state governor Andrew Cuomo. Asked about the possibility of a closure of the state borders decided by Washington, Governor Cuomo had warned, on CNN, that it was, 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 said. "It would shock the markets of 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 stopped all non-essential activities and called on the population to stay at home. "When you lack clarity, it can cause confusion, which can lead to panic," said Connecticut governor Ned Lamont on Saturday.
The latter said he had asked the White House for clarification, which explained that all the scenarios were on the table, including a "lockdown", that is to say the ban on entry and exit d 'a given State. "New York, New Jersey and southern Connecticut are the world's trade and finance capital," said Governor Lamont. "And if you care as much as the president about seeing the economy rebound," he continued, "you have to be very careful what you say and what you don't say."
Self-containment for travelers from New York State is now legally required and may be subject to a fine for non-compliance. "It is a reactionary policy," said Andrew Cuomo. "And I don't think it's legal."
The governor has threatened to sue Rhode Island if he does not reverse his decision. In Florida, Governor Ron De Santis announced measures similar to those taken in Rhode Island and police checkpoints were installed at the entrance to the state to the north.
Again, this is, for the moment, only to remind New Yorkers entering Florida that they must self-confine for 14 days, under penalty of a fine.