President Trump said Tuesday that his administration is considering placing travel restrictions on Brazil as the South American nation struggles under an increasing number of coronavirus cases.
“We are considering it. We hope that we’re not going to have a problem,” Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday afternoon, specifically citing concerns about Brazilians going to Florida.
“Brazil has gone more or less herd,” Trump said, adding, “They’re having problems.”
Brazil currently has the third-most coronavirus cases of any country globally, behind the United States and Russia, according to official statistics. The country has reported more than 260,000 cases of the novel coronavirus and has recorded more than 17,500 deaths related to COVID-19.
Brazil’s hospitals, particularly in the country’s largest city of São Paulo, are said to be overwhelmed by the surge in cases. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has been seen joining demonstrations protesting stay-at-home orders.
Trump on Tuesday said he was concerned about infected individuals coming into the U.S. from Brazil and vice versa.
“I worry about everything. I don’t want people coming in here and infecting our people. I don’t want people over there sick either. We’re helping Brazil with ventilators,” the president told reporters. “Brazil is having some trouble, no question about it.”
Trump has already placed travel restrictions on China and most of Europe and has restricted travel across the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada. The U.S. and Canada agreed to extend the border restrictions another 30 days on Tuesday. Trump has not offered a date on when he expects to lift other travel restrictions.
His remarks Tuesday come as various states are implementing plans to loosen restrictions meant to curb the spread of the virus so businesses can reopen. The coronavirus outbreak, which has sickened more than 1.5 million people in the U.S., has had a devastating impact on the U.S. economy, pushing the unemployment rate to 14.7 percent last month.