New York State Orders 100% Remote Work... Trump Says "No Plans for National Lockdown"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The United States has decided to close both its northern and southern borders amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Despite the border closures, President Donald Trump remains cautious about a nationwide lockdown, but restrictions on residents' movement and work-from-home orders are spreading in places like New York.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

On the 20th (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo attended the White House COVID-19 task force (TF) briefing and stated, "The United States and Mexico have agreed to restrict non-essential travel at the border," while assuring that trade will continue. This measure will take effect from the 21st.

At the briefing, President Trump denied the possibility of a nationwide lockdown restricting movement within the U.S. He said, "We are working with the governors (of New York and California), and I do not see that we will find such a (nationwide lockdown) necessity."

On the same day, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo recommended residents to stay indoors, ordered 100% work-from-home for 'nonessential' businesses, and banned all gatherings regardless of size. California Governor Gavin Newsom had issued a stay-at-home order for all residents the day before.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York State surged from about 5,200 overnight to 7,245 on the day, an increase of more than 2,000 in one night. Deaths also rose from 29 the previous day to at least 38. In New Jersey, a drive-through testing site opened, but the line of vehicles extended over a mile, forcing the testing to close earlier than scheduled. The total number of confirmed cases in the U.S. entered the 17,000 range on the day.

Meanwhile, President Trump repeated claims that COVID-19 came from China but emphasized, "I have a very good relationship with President Xi, and I have great respect for China and respect President Xi."

This is interpreted as an attempt to dilute responsibility for the Trump administration over the COVID-19 crisis while managing the situation considering U.S.-China relations.

President Trump recently referred to COVID-19 as the "Chinese virus" during briefings, and the day before, it was observed that the speech script was revised to call COVID-19 the "Chinese virus," which sparked controversy.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.