US President Donald Trump proposed new guidelines on Thursday that state governors could follow to revive the economy. The guidelines are to be implemented in three stages, and it will help the states revive the US economy, according to Trump.
Speaking at his daily coronavirus briefing on Thursday, Trump stressed that the prolonged shutdown is terrible as it can gravely harm the economy. So far, coronavirus has killed 32,600 Americans.
In Trump’s word to reporters, “we are not opening all at once, but one careful step at a time.” However, he didn’t share any precise details of the guidelines.
More
- Coronavirus: US to Halt Funding to WHO, says Trump
- White House broke the law by withholding Ukraine aid, says watchdog
Furthermore, Trump said the forced economy depression and a prolonged lockdown would inflict a wide-ranging toll on the public. Also, he added that all these could result in increased cases of suicide, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, heart disease, etc.
Phase one of Trump reopening guidelines
With the new Federal guidelines, states are to first record a 14-day “downward trajectory” in the number of coronavirus cases. Then, they can begin working on the three-phase process for reopening.
Furthermore, the document indicates Trump’s strategy for reopening businesses across the US in states ravaged by the pandemic. However, it is the responsibility of the state, not federal authorities.
In addition, hospitals must have a robust testing program before any state can reopen. This also includes making antibody testing ready for healthcare workers.
Furthermore, states should be able to set up testing sites and screening for people showing symptoms. Without leaving out the ability to trace contacts. Also, the provision of personal protective gear will be the responsibility of each healthcare facility. They must also be able to handle any increase in coronavirus cases again.
More so, the document says that the recommendations are implementable at each state’s government discretion.
Meanwhile, Trump has dragged with the governors on who has the supreme authority to reopen the state’s economies.
Besides, the document says for the first phase of reopening, if the recommended distancing measures are not practical, a gathering of not more than ten must be avoided. Also, common areas in offices should close, non-essential travels minimized, and telework encouraged.
Moreover, phase 1 of reopening will see schools remain closed. However, with strict distancing protocols, places like restaurants, churches, cinemas, stadiums can reopen.
Also, the most affected hospitals by the pandemic can resume elective surgeries, that are important to that income. Also, gyms can reopen with new guidelines. Meanwhile, bars will remain closed.
Phase 2 and 3
More so, the second phase will only be applicable in states with “no evidence of rebound.” The guidelines then limit the gathering of people to not more than 50 if social distancing is impossible. Also, non-essential travel can resume. Likewise, schools can reopen, while bars having “diminished standing-room occupancy” can also open.
In phase three, there will be unrestricted staffing if the workplace.
According to a White House Official, these guidelines are conservative and stated that the top doctors on the president’s coronavirus taskforce had agreed to it.
Trump is seeking to keep the US economy moving again after the coronavirus pandemic saw millions of Americans jobless. Besides, over 20 million people have already filed for unemployment in the past month. Likewise, more than 90% of the country has had to comply with the stay-at-home orders.
Meanwhile, Trump, on Wednesday, noted that states with few numbers of infections should be ready to reopen economic activities earlier than those struck by the virus.
