Coronavirus: Cuomo Threatens Suit Over RI Travel Restrictions

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo criticized Rhode Island's order mandating that anyone coming into the state from New York to self-quarantine for 14 days as an "absurdity" and questioned the legality of using police and state troopers to enforce it.

"I think what RI did is at the point of absurdity, and it's not even legal," Cuomo told CNN Saturday.

He threatened legal action against the state, saying, "I think that's a reactionary policy — if they don't roll back that policy, I'm going to sue Rhode Island, because that's clearly unconstitutional."

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo issued the order on Thursday, noting that New York accounts for nearly half of the nation's cases of COVID-19. The enforce the order, the National Guard has been stationed at train and bus stations to gather to confront anyone coming from New York, while cars with New York license plates are being stopped at Rhode Island's borders.

Raimondo expanded the order Saturday, saying that travelers to Rhode Island from any state must self-quarantine for 14 days. But only those cars bearing New York plates will be the stopped by state troopers.

Raimondo said Saturday the self-quarantine orders are not meant to be discriminatory, but are necessary to protect Rhode Island residents.

She also issued a stay-at-home order for Rhode Island residents, meaning that people should leave their homes only for grocery shopping, picking up medication, going to work if unable to work from home and exercising at an acceptable distance from others.

Cuomo's comments come as President Donald Trump said he's considering travel restrictions for residents of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut amid the coronavirus outbreak.