“Opening Up America Again”, Unveiled by President Trump

Washington, D.C. – President Trump unveiled a plane to get America back to work, calling it ” Opening Up America Again”. Trump has said he believes many states could begin to re-open even before the federal guidelines for social distancing and mitigation expire on May 1, citing what he says are the low numbers of cases or deaths in some places.

Trump said the nation has suffered greatly but he believes the peak of the pandemic has passed and so the time has come to prepare to get back to business. Trump said Thursday there have been no new coronavirus cases in the last seven days in more than 850 counties, or roughly 30% of the country.

The White House’s phased strategy is contingent upon states having data about case levels, the capacity to treat all patients and test healthcare workers, and the ability to trace the contacts of those infected. States can decide on a county-by-county approach, the 18-page document says. Employers should be able to do temperature checks and contact tracing, the guidelines say.

The guidelines suggest three phases for states to reopen, with progressively relaxed levels of social distancing. Each phase would require a 14-day period of a “downward trajectory” of cases to advance to the next one.

Phase One states or regions would have social distancing guidelines similar to those in place now — a prohibition on gatherings of more than 10, maximized physical distance, working from home when possible, the closures of schools and bars and so on. “Strict physical distancing protocols” would be ordered for places such as restaurants, theaters, sporting venues, churches and gyms. Vulnerable people would be urged to stay home.

Phase Two states and regions that show no signs of a rebound could expand gatherings to 50 people and resume non-essential travel. Working from home would still be encouraged. Schools could reopen and bars could operate with “diminished standing-room occupancy.” Vulnerable people still would be urged to stay home.

Phase Three states and regions could expand guidance so that vulnerable individuals could go out in public. Visits to hospitals and nursing homes could resume.