Corona virus: Trump is studying plans to resume economic activity and remove restrictions on social divergence

United States President Donald Trump said he has “full authority” to end the US-imposed shutdown to curb the coronavirus outbreak, in contrast to the views of state governors and constitutional experts.

“The President of the United States has the power to make decisions,” Trump added, at a press conference in which he attacked journalists.

This coincides with the start of nine states in the eastern and western United States that plan to loosen the strict “stay home” restrictions.

The United States Constitution states that state governors are committed to maintaining order and security.

Legal experts said the interpretation of this constitutional text includes that state governors must decide when it comes to lifting restrictions to limit the spread of the Coronavirus.

The discussion about the completion of closure procedures began despite the number of epidemic cases in the United States exceeding 682,619 and the number of deaths from the virus increasing to 23,529 deaths, numbers exceeding the levels recorded in Italy, which It ranks second in terms of the number of deaths from the epidemic.

What did Trump say?

At the daily press conference that includes an update on the latest developments in the Corona virus in the United States, the President of the United States said he is putting the finishing touches on a plan to resume economic activity, which is in a state of closure. almost complete to stop the spread of the global epidemic.

But when journalists asked him if he had the necessary powers to decide to cancel the “stay at home” orders that state administrations have recently imposed, Trump said: “When someone is president of the United States, he has all the power “

He added: “It is full authority, and state governors know it.”

He continued: “However, we will work with the states.”

He claimed that various articles of the United States Constitution grant him these powers, but did not mention them.

When asked by BBC correspondent John Sobel if he was concerned about stopping economic activity again if a new wave of the epidemic hit the country, Trump said: “I certainly hope that does not happen, but if it does, it will be taken into account. bill”.

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The President of the United States told reporters that the number of deaths from the corona virus has witnessed stability in the recent period, which he sees as an indication of the success of “social divergence” efforts.

But with Trump showing the decision in a way that Washington can make unilaterally, law experts see the US president. USA It has no power to remove the health restrictions that states have taken locally.

The recommendations issued by the White House include that US residents. USA Avoid going to restaurants, avoid unnecessary trips and that your participation in meetings of ten or fewer attendees is April 30.

During the press conference, Trump showed a pre-prepared video criticizing the media that praised his handling of the epidemic, as well as other videos showing praise from state governors for the actions of the Trump administration.

Several media outlets, covering the press conference, quickly interrupted their live broadcast of the conference by presenting these materials.

What are the state governors planning?

State governors appear to be planning to resume economic activity without consulting the Trump administration.

Officials from New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Pennsylvania promised to follow a “very wise approach” as they planned to return to normal, but did not specify a “schedule for that.”

This occurs despite the presence of approximately 190,000 cases of coronavirus in New York, in addition to deaths in the state that exceed the level of 10,000 deaths.

But Andrew Como, the state governor, in his daily press conference on the latest developments in the epidemic, suggested that his state had passed “the most difficult phase of the virus.”

“If we continue to participate intelligently (with the spread of the virus), I think we can stand up on the first path to a normal life,” Como said.

California, Washington and Oregon in the western United States have announced joint plans to return to normal.

About 40 states in the United States impose “stay home” orders and restrictions on all of their residents.