Is it time to reopen US? Trump unveils guidelines to end state coronavirus lockdowns

President Trump unveiled a new set of guidelines for the nation’s governors Thursday that lays out a three-phased approach to reopening the country and getting the economy back on track.

“America wants to open and Americans want to be open,” Trump said during the afternoon coronavirus news conference. “To preserve the health of our citizens we must also preserve the health of our economy.”

While the president had previously suggested he held the power to raise and lower coronavirus restrictions over the states, these guidelines place more emphasis on governors to decide what’s best for their state.

The guidelines are not mandatory but have “gating criteria,” basically best practice benchmarks, according to the Washington Post.

States must see a consistent downward trend in the number of infections for a period of 14 days, before loosening restrictions. It also recommends a “robust testing program” be available for health workers, and that hospitals be able to treat all patients without crisis care.

Phase one

Phase one suggests less restrictive approaches to many of the measures already in place, such as limiting group sizes, and shelter-in-place orders for those deemed vulnerable to the coronavirus. In addition, some non-essential businesses would be able to reopen with certain limitations in this phase.

Gatherings are limited to 10 people, schools are still closed, and nursing homes and senior centers are taking no visitors.

Some guidelines are intended for employers to follow. Working from home is still encouraged in phase one, employers are asked to make special considerations for vulnerable populations, and non-essential travel should be kept to a minimum.

Phase two

If a state has made it through the first phase without any rebounds in infection, then restrictions loosen further. Phase two allows for non-essential travel and gatherings of 50 people or more, but maintaining practicing social distancing is still recommended.

Schools, gyms, bars and large venues can also reopen with light restrictions. But visits to nursing homes will not yet be allowed.

Employers are encouraged to promote work-from-home policies for employees that can do their jobs remotely.

Phase three

The third and final phase, for states that have passed the gating criteria three times and haven’t had any rebounds, permits public interactions even for vulnerable individuals, and visits to nursing homes.

Physical distancing is still suggested, but bars, gyms and large venues can allow larger crowds, and employers can start welcoming their employees back to the office.

Guidelines critical, Fauci says

Dr. Anthony Fauci described the guidelines as a measured approach and praised the officials and experts who helped develop them.

“I know there are a lot of other considerations that go into opening .. but the dominating drive was to make sure this was done in the safest way possible,” Fauci said.

Coronavirus has impacted every state differently, and some may struggle through the phases more than others, according to Fauci.

The guidelines will be critical in shepherding the country through not only the current outbreak, but also potential future coronavirus outbreaks, Fauci said.

“As we know, and as I’ve said from this podium, it may very well be that this virus comes back to us,” he said.

This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 4:03 PM with the headline "Is it time to reopen US? Trump unveils guidelines to end state coronavirus lockdowns."