US President Donald Trump said on Monday night that, because of the deadly COVID-19 outbreak, he was halting immigration into the United States.

Posting on Twitter, Trump said, “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!”

In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2020

Contrary to Trump’s recent tweets of cautious optimism about the world, the announcement soon resurfaced from weeks of lockdowns designed to contain the virus.

Since its arrival in the country, the president has consistently sought to downplay the seriousness of the outbreak, and his attempt to restart the economy has put him at odds with some of the country’s governors and, at times, his top health experts.