TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he plans to issue an executive order mandating that anyone arriving on a flight from New York City and the surrounding area submit to self-quarantine for two weeks.

DeSantis says over 100 such flights arrive daily in Florida and he believes each one contains at least one person infected with the coronavirus. Passengers will be screened when they arrive and told they must self-quarantine. They won't be allowed to stay with family or friends because that is one way the virus is spread.

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DeSantis says he's been in contact with federal officials about curtailing such flights, but hasn't heard back yet. He didn't say how the self-quarantine would be enforced.

 

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio says he understands DeSantis' order since New York is an epicenter for the virus in the U.S. However, he has mixed feelings about travel restrictions and says, “I'm not sure it's the most enlightened approach.”