Trump changes mind about blockading New York

But New York Governor Andrew Cuomo dubbed the idea “anti-American” and said he would not cooperate. Cuomo also said a travel ban would cause chaos.

“If you started walling off areas all across the country it would be totally bizarre, counter-productive, anti-American,” he said on CNN.

“It makes absolutely no sense and I don’t think any serious governmental personality or professional would support it.”

Since the virus first appeared in the United States in late January, Trump has vacillated between playing down the risks of infection and urging Americans to take steps to slow its spread.

The United States now has more than 120,000 confirmed cases, the highest figure in the world.

Trump has also been reluctant to invoke emergency powers to order U.S. companies to produce much-needed medical supplies, despite the pleas of governors and hospital workers.

On Saturday, he appeared to soften his previous comments calling for the U.S. economy to be reopened by mid-April. “We’ll see what happens,” he said.