Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Coronavirus: Trump officially declares national emergency and invokes Stafford Act

President announces 500,000 more tests will be available at the start of next week – and says Britain may be added to list of European countries facing travel restrictions to the US

Phil Thomas
New York
Friday 13 March 2020 16:33 EDT
Comments
Donald Trump declares national emergency over coronavirus pandemic

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Donald Trump has declared the coronavirus a national emergency under the Stafford Act, allowing officials to access up to $50bn in funds set aside to deal with natural disasters.

More than 1,700 Americans have now tested positive for the virus, and 41 have died.

Speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House, Mr Trump said declaring an emergency would allow the health and human services secretary, Alex Azar, to waive “certain laws and regulations” to give healthcare operators more flexibility.

Mr Trump said there would be 500,000 extra tests available early next week. The administration has been criticised for its slow response to making tests available. However, the president stressed that authorities do not want people who do not need tests to take one.

He said the national emergency – which he referred to as "two very big words" – would not be needed for long.

Google is working on a website that will help people determine whether they need a test and help them get access to one.

Asked about whether he himself would take a test, having been exposed to people who have tested positive for the coronavirus, Mr Trump said that he had no coronavirus symptoms himself. Later, when asked again, he said: "I will most likely get tested."

He said that his exemption of the United Kingdom from European countries facing travel restrictions to the US may have to be rethought after the number of confirmed cases there increased "precipitously".

He said other countries could be added or removed to the list.

Asked if he took any responsibility for his administration's slow response to making tests available, the president said: "No, I don't take responsibility at all." He said the "rules and regulations" he inherited were not designed for an outbreak like coronavirus.

Pressed on dismantling the pandemic response team after coming to power in 2017, he said: "I think it's a nasty question ... We've saved thousands of lives. And when you say 'me', I didn't do it, we have a group of people ... I don't know anything about it."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in