The Trump administration is advising that individuals leaving New York self-quarantine for 14 days to avoid spreading the coronavirus to other parts of the country.

Dr. Deborah Birx Deborah BirxControversial CDC guidelines were written by HHS officials, not scientists: report Trump coronavirus adviser threatens to sue Stanford researchers Trump disputes CDC director on vaccine timing, says 'he made a mistake' MORE, a member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, made the recommendation during a press conference as cases in New York continue to increase rapidly. “Everybody who was in New York should be self-quarantining for the next 14 days to ensure that the virus doesn't spread to others, no matter where they have gone, whether it's Florida, North Carolina or out to ... Long Island,” Birx said.

It is the first time U.S. officials have recommended that individuals traveling domestically self-quarantine. The directive signals how dire the situation has grown in New York, which has become the epicenter of the epidemic in the U.S.

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About 56 percent of all the cases in the U.S. are coming out of the New York metro area, Birx said.

"We have to deal with the New York City metro area as a high-risk area," said Vice President Pence. "For that reason, we're taking these steps and asking for the cooperation of the American people."

Dr. Birx: “We remain deeply concerned about New York City and the New York metro area. About 56% of all the cases in the United States are coming out of that metro area.”



“Everyone who was in New York should be self-quarantining for the next 14 days.” https://t.co/S9smybIrKE pic.twitter.com/MUslPREr64 — ABC News (@ABC) March 24, 2020

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the rate of infection in the area is eight to 10 times higher than in other parts of the country.

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“It’s a very serious situation. They've suffered terribly through no fault of their own,” he said.

It is important individuals leaving New York self-quarantine so they don’t seed outbreaks in other areas of the country, he added.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Ron DeSantisNames to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court Key swing-state election lawsuits could help shape the presidential race First death reported from Hurricane Sally in Alabama MORE (R) also ordered individuals arriving in Florida from New York to self-quarantine for 14 days.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Andrew CuomoNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' New York to honor Ginsburg with statue in Brooklyn New York City bus driver knocked out by passenger he told to wear a mask MORE (D) said Tuesday the coronavirus outbreak could peak in the state in two to three weeks, with cases doubling every three days. There are nearly 22,000 cases in New York, including 157 deaths.

Updated at 7:07 pm.