WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the threat of the Chinese Coronavirus intensifies, Senator Rick Scott is working to make sure the federal government is prepared and providing all the information needed to states. This week, Senator Scott:

• Urged the Trump Administration to appoint leadership to oversee and coordinate the federal government’s efforts to combat the Chinese Coronavirus, which the President did by appointing Vice President Pence.

• Sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf requesting information on the agency’s plan to address the Chinese Coronavirus and calling for increased screenings at airports for foreign nationals coming from any region that is a growing concern for transmission of the virus;

• Called on the CDC Director to immediately launch a 24/7, fully staffed phone hotline to address questions from the American public about the Chinese Coronavirus. Senator Scott also urged the agency to hold regular conference calls with state and local health officials to provide up-to-date information and resources available to combat the Chinese Coronavirus; and

• Requested information from DHS and CDC about security protocol and resources at Florida’s airports and seaports in response to new cases of the Chinese Coronavirus being reported in South and Central America.

Last month, Senator Scott called on the Trump Administration to declare a public health emergency in response to the Chinese Coronavirus, which the President heeded on January 31, and urged the Administration remain as open and transparent as possible in the United States’ efforts to combat the Coronavirus. Senator Scott has also called on the World Health Organization to do its own in-depth analysis on the extent of the Coronavirus since Communist China cannot be trusted to coordinate in a transparent and efficient manner, visited the U.S. Customs and Border Protection International Mail Facility in Miami to discuss the threat of the Chinese Coronavirus and encouraged the Directors of Florida’s seaports and airports to take action and remain vigilant to prevent the spread of the virus.

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