WASHINGTON —President Donald Trump backed away from earlier comments Saturday that he was considering enforcing a quarantine in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area after state officials questioned whether Trump had the authority to implement a quarantine and accused him of creating confusion.
Instead, he said he will have the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issue a "strong Travel Advisory to be administered by the Governors in consultation with the Federal Government," he tweeted.
"A quarantine will not be necessary," Trump tweeted Saturday night. "Full details will be released by CDC tonight."
Earlier Saturday Trump sparked confusion when he told reporters as he was leaving the White House for
Norfolk, Va., that he was considering an “enforceable quarantine” in the tri-state area because he was concerned New Yorkers were traveling to places like Florida and spreading the virus.
Trump had been on the phone just minutes before with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but did not bring up the possibility of the federally mandated quarantine, according to Cuomo.
“I didn’t speak to him about any quarantine,” Cuomo said during a press conference. “I don’t even know what that means.” “I don’t know how that could be legally enforceable. I don't even like the sound of it.”
Trump says quarantine for N.Y., N.J. and Connecticut 'not necessary'