May 1st, That’s The Day President Trump Plans to Reopen America’s Economy

According to new reopening guidelines that were shared with governors on Thursday, President Trump has a set May 1st as a date to start getting Americans back to their normal lives.

The “Opening Up America Again” guidelines say states which show a downward trend of COVID-19 cases will be able to re-open their restaurants, bars, theaters, workplaces, sporting centers and gyms as soon as May 1st.

Before laying out the new guidelines President Trump told governors and state leaders on a conference call “You’re gonna call your shots. Bottom line, if you’re ready and you have those beautiful, low numbers like some of you have, let’s get going, let’s open up your state.”

Under the “Open Up America Again” guidelines, states will need to demonstrate a downward trajectory of COVID-19 cases over a two week period and a “robust” system for testing healthcare workers before they can proceed to a phased opening.

The guidelines are tiered into three phases:

In Phase 1 non-essential travel is discouraged, bars should remain closed and visits to nursing homes and hospitals should remain prohibited, the guidelines warn. If possible, people in those states may be able to return to work in phases. Elective surgeries may resume under Phase 1 and gyms and large venues, including movie theaters, sporting arenas and places of worship, may reopen if they can maintain social distancing.

In Phase 2 schools, restaurant, gyms and bars are allowed to re-open with diminished occupancy. Non-essential travel can resume and people can gather in groups no larger than fifty, but teleworking is still encouraged.

In Phase 3 states can move to workplaces reopening with no restrictions and visits to senior care centers and hospitals can resume.

The guidelines were developed by COVID-19  Task Force members Drs. Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci in coordination with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Robert Redfield, according to a remark Vice President Mike Pence gave to governors.

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