100M in Europe Locked Down, Trump Might Limit Domestic Travel: Could RI Be Next?

100M in Europe Locked Down, Trump Might Limit Domestic Travel: Could RI Be Next?

Could Rhode Island be locked down due to coronavirus? 

“Yes. And remember we are talking about 3 months (of lockdown) not 2 weeks. That said, for most people, this will be a mild disease,” says former Rhode Island Director of Health Michael Fine.

Spain is imposing a lockdown on the country’s 46 million residents. It now joins Italy, which has locked its 61 million residents.

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Under the measures announced in Spain on Saturday night by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, “People will not be allowed to leave their homes other than to buy food, pharmaceuticals, or other necessary products, or unless they have a compelling reason such as caring for the old or ill, travelling to a health centre, or essential work, including for financial institutions,” reports the Financial Times.

In addition, during a White House briefing on Saturday discussing the administration’s response to the outbreak, President Donald Trump was asked whether he was thinking about domestic travel limitations.

“Specifically from certain areas, yes, we are," Trump replied. “We’re working with the states, and we are considering other restrictions.”

Dr. Phil Chan, who is an internal medicine and infectious diseases physician at The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital, and Assistant Professor of Medicine and Behavioral and Social Sciences at Brown University, told GoLocalProv that he believes at this point, "that public health and government officials are considering all options to address COVID-19."

"If the spread of infection cannot be controlled with current approaches, then additional measures may be needed," said Chan. 

Europe in Focus

The Local of France reports:

[Prime Minister] Edouard Philippe announced on Saturday evening that due to the acceleration of the coronavirus epidemic in France it was necessary to close all bars, restaurants, nightclubs and non-essential stores across the country.

All places deemed "non-essential" are to be closed, Philippe said.

"I have decided on the closure until further notice from midnight of places that receive the public that are non-essential to the life of the country. This includes notably cafes, restaurants, cinemas and discos," the Prime Minister told reporters.

"We have noticed an acceleration in the spread of the virus and a rise in the number of people in intensive care, he said.

"We have observed that the first measures we have taken have not been correctly applied," he said. "The best way to slow the virus is social distancing."

France has already banned events that gather over 100 people together and from Monday schools around the country will remain closed.