Arkansas’ GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday he understands why New York is demanding travelers quarantine for two weeks — but warns “ultimately we can’t be putting these restrictions on each other.”
In an interview on ABC News’ “This Week,” Hutchinson said New York’s Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo had reason to be concerned.
“I understand where they’re coming from,” he said of the travelers’ two-week quarantine demand. “We had the same order in Arkansas that travelers from New York had to quarantine.”
“This virus has been like a fog crossing the United States,” he said, but added, “Ultimately, we can’t be putting these restrictions on each other across the country.”
“We have to manage the virus and the growth of our economy,” he said. “I don’t think New York wants to isolate itself.”
Hutchinson said a sharp rise in coronavirus cases in his state means there will be a “pause” on entering its Phase 3 of reopening — and urged President Donald Trump to make a broader use of the Defense Production Act to cover testing equipment.
“This is a very very serious challenge… we’ve got to double [testing] again,” he said, but noted, “with the demand for testing… how’s our commercial providers going to be able to keep up with that. I really think we need to look at a greater use of the Defense Production Act so that we can make sure the supply keeps up with the demand.”
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