As Wall Street simmered down a bit following the president’s announcement and the global COVID-19 outbreak appeared to be ebbing in China, there are indications that — as more regions of the United States essentially ‘shut down’ — the president may be about to take even more drastic measures.
Like implementing travel bans and, perhaps, mass quarantines.
As Breitbart News reported, during a question-and-answer session with reporters on Thursday — ahead of his national emergency declaration the following day — President Trump would not outright reject the notion of domestic travel bans, calling them “a possibility.”
Asked if he had considered the idea, the president responded, “We haven’t discussed that yet. Is it a possibility? Yes. If somebody gets a little bit out of control, if an area gets too hot. You see what they’re doing in New Rochelle (New York), which is — which is good, frankly. It’s the right thing. But then it’s not enforced, it’s not very strong but people know they’re being watched. … New Rochelle, that’s a hotspot.”
The enclave is in Westchester County, or right above Manhattan.
Breitbart News noted further:
The remarks come as a passenger traveling from John F. Kennedy (JFK) Airport in New York City tested positive for the coronavirus upon landing in Palm Beach, Florida. The nation’s leading health experts have said containing migration and travel to and within the U.S. is critical to stopping the spread of the coronavirus.
The president has already implemented international travel bans, blocking entrance from all of Europe, Iran, and China. Domestic travel bans of the kind China implemented would seem a ‘logical’ step to the White House if, in fact, cases continue to spread.
‘These restrictions are necessary to preserve force readiness’
For that matter, the Pentagon has already issued a domestic travel ban for all armed forces personnel. As Military.com reports:
Pentagon officials announced sweeping travel restrictions for troops and their families late Friday night that will halt all domestic travel, including duty station moves and temporary assignments, for nearly two months as officials try to stem the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Beginning March 16, all service members, their families, and Defense Department civilian employees are going to be restricted in how they are able to move about the country and U.S. territories. The move, which is unprecedented, was approved by Pentagon officials to extend through May 11.
“These restrictions are necessary to preserve force readiness, limit the continuing spread of the virus, and preserve the health and welfare of Service members, DoD civilian employees, their families, and the local communities in which we live,” says a memo outlining the new directive which was, no doubt, approved by the commander-in-chief. (Related: For those who MOCKED preppers, your day of reckoning has arrived.)
The order halts permanent change of station moves — personnel being reassigned from one base to another — as well as temporary duty assignments (TDA); it does, however, allow travel for medical purposes.
Also, personnel currently on TDAs will be permitted to return to their home station when their mission ends. In addition, service members getting close to retirement dates or end-of-duty contracts are also exempted and may travel.
Still, while other exemptions are likely to be granted, it’s obvious the Pentagon is serious about ensuring that exposure to the virus by military personnel is limited, at best.
There are additional restrictions as well.
“Outside tours of the building are canceled, international military partners will no longer be allowed to visit, and anyone who has traveled outside the U.S. must not enter the Pentagon for at least 14 days,” Military.com reported.
If Trump has already limited or banned most military movement, are domestic restrictions really that far off?
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