Trump ‘mulling two week quarantine of Americans and closure of most businesses to halt coronavirus’

President Donald Trump is mulling a plan that would call out the National Guard to enforce a two-week quarantine of all Americans if they don’t follow his guidelines for helping to contain the spread of the coronavirus. 

Trump, in what would be an unprecedented move, would require all to ‘stay at home,’ according to a source knowledgeable of the developing plan, which wouldn’t be announced until next week. 

Most businesses, except for grocery stores and pharmacies, also would close. 

Other sources inside the administration say the president also wants to ground all US airline flights.  

President Donald Trump is mulling a plan that would call for a two-week quarantine of all Americans if they don’t follow his guidelines for helping to contain the spread of the coronavirus. He is pictured speaking at a coronavirus task force briefing

Trump's plan would require calling out the National Guard to enforce the quarantine. Members of the Missouri National Guard are pictured

Trump’s plan would require calling out the National Guard to enforce the quarantine. Members of the Missouri National Guard are pictured

The president would require air carriers to suspend operations in an effort to limit people’s interactions with each other and travel around the country, reports the Washington Examiner.

There have been more than 18,000 confirmed cases in the US of the deadly flu-like virus, also known as COVID-19, which also has been blamed for at least 230 known deaths. 

The coronavirus' impact on the US, as of early Saturday

The coronavirus’ impact on the US, as of early Saturday

How the deaths have mounted in the US since the first case of the coronavirus was confirmed in Janauary

How the deaths have mounted in the US since the first case of the coronavirus was confirmed in Janauary

Women wear face masks and a scarf to protect their mouths and nose to protect against coronavirus infection as they walk in New York Friday. So far, 230 people across the country have died from the deadly outbreak

Women wear face masks and a scarf to protect their mouths and nose to protect against coronavirus infection as they walk in New York Friday. So far, 230 people across the country have died from the deadly outbreak 

Senior administration officials say the plan is among dozens of radical ideas that are being considered as Trump moves quickly to protect the country from the outbreak.

While the president has praised the public for following the guidelines he set forth earlier this week, the additional quarantine plans signal his administration has noticed some Americans are not taking the threat seriously.

Spring Breakers enjoyed the sand and surf on Florida’s beaches in defiance of closures and missing the point that the administration warned millennials to take their health and safety seriously, citing a rise in severe cases of coronavirus among young adults in China, Italy and South Korea.

While Trump praised the public for following the guidelines he set forth for slowing the spread of coronavirus, the additional quarantine plans signal his administration has noticed some Americans are not taking the threat seriously, including Spring Breakers (pictured)

While Trump praised the public for following the guidelines he set forth for slowing the spread of coronavirus, the additional quarantine plans signal his administration has noticed some Americans are not taking the threat seriously, including Spring Breakers (pictured)

‘They don’t realize that – they’re feeling invincible,’ said President Trump of young people. 

‘But they don’t realize that they could be carrying lots of bad things home to their grandmother and grandfather and even their parents.

‘So, we want them to heed the advice … and I do believe it’s getting through.’

The National Guard is already out enforcing ‘stay in place’ orders in Washington, DC, as the nation’s capital on Friday extended school closings until the end of April.

Wisconsin also activated the Guard. Troops are also being put to use in Florida, New Jersey, and Arizona.

National Guardsmen are see assisting a coronavirus drive through testing lab in Miami, Florida

National Guardsmen are see assisting a coronavirus drive through testing lab in Miami, Florida

Guardsmen were put on notice in California as well after Goveronor Gavin Newsom all residents to stay at home until further notice. Illinois has done the same, while parts of New York have been shut down.

Federal officials are hedging on putting a ‘stay in place’ order, but say the administration has alerted Congress, states, and industry leaders about a potential shutdown of the country that could start next week, and after Trump enacts the Stafford Act, which some say would pave the way for a national quarantine.

Department of Homeland Security officials are telling states that it is ready to mobilize the National Guard and dispatch them with US military and first responders, says a knowledgeable source.

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk