Post by Admin on Apr 17, 2020 7:38:30 GMT
Donald Trump has announced it is time to start “opening up America again” as he published guidance for how states can get people back to work and reopen schools and businesses.
The 18-page document outlined three phases for lifting restrictions put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus, with each state needing to meet certain criteria to progress.
In a call Thursday outlining when and how the country could start to recover from the sharp economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump told the nation's governors, "You're going to call your own shots."
The new guidelines for "Opening Up America" are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while keeping them in place in harder-hit places. The guideline will be rolled out in three phases, each lasting 14 days.
According to Dr. Deborah Brix, phase one includes strict social distancing for all people allowed in public. Governors are told to restrict gatherings to no more than 10 people and to discourage non-essential travel for all residents.
In phase one, vulnerable people are told to remain at home while some workers can begin returning to their daily lives. Schools will remain closed and some businesses, but others may begin to reopen.
If conditions improve, the state may move on to phase two, in which people are encouraged to practice social distancing where possible and limit social gatherings to no more than 50 people – unless precautionary measures are taken. Schools will be allowed to reopen, along with daycare centers and summer camps.
Travel may also begin to resume in phase two, but there should be no visitations to hospitals or nursing homes yet.
Phase three will essentially be the “new normal,” according to Dr. Birx.
People will be allowed to return to their daily lives but should continue to practice safe hygiene practices while governments and healthcare workers continue to identify and isolate any new infections.