President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus as he walks to Marine One to depart the White House, Saturday, March 28, 2020, in Washington. Trump is en route to Norfolk, Va., for the sailing of the USNS Comfort, which is headed to New York (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
CONNECTICUT — President Donald Trump is considering short-term travel restrictions for New York, New Jersey and parts of Connecticut. Trump spoke to reporters Saturday about the possibility.
"Some people would like to see New York quarantined because it's a hotspot – New York, New Jersey. Maybe one or two other places; certain parts of Connecticut quarantined. I'm thinking about that right now."
Trump appeared to clarify his words later, saying he was talking about restricting traveling from those states.
"Because they're having problems down in Florida. A lot of New Yorkers are going down. We don't want that. Heavily infected," he said.
Trump added that this "would be an enforceable quarantine. And, you know, I'd rather not do it, but we may need it."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an order Monday requiring all incoming air passengers from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to self-quarantine for 14 days. Since then some other governors have followed suit in mandating travelers from New York self-quarantine.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said during a radio interview Friday that he would have state police pull over cars with New York plates if necessary. Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo ordered state police troopers to pull over cars with New York license plates to get information about occupants.Read more:Coronavirus: CT Governor 'Would' Stop NY Drivers
"If you come to this state, until you know you're healthy, I'm ordering you to self-quarantine, how about that," Lamont said. during the interview.
On the home front Lamont has issued a series of executive orders to limit unnecessary travel and gatherings as much as possible. On Thursday he ordered limiting social and recreational gathers to five or fewer people and suspended the state's plastic bag tax. He also ordered firearm transactions to be done by appointment only.
Lamont also ordered restaurants to have as much contactless payment and pickup as possible with current setups. Lamont has also ordered schools to be closed until at least April 20, but has said it's quite possible they will stay closed longer than that.