Trump says current White House coronavirus guidelines will be ‘fading out’

President Trump on Wednesday said the administration’s current guidelines on slowing the spread of COVID-19 will be “fading out” as more governors begin to reopen state economies.

“They’ll be fading out, because now the governors are doing it,” Trump said during a White House meeting with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D).

The current guidelines outlined mitigation measures for everyone in the country, including physical distancing, avoiding large gatherings and working from home. They are set to expire Thursday. 

Vice President Pence said the guidelines are being incorporated by governors into their plans to reopen, and indicated they will phase out over time.

“Every state in America has embraced those guidelines at a minimum, or even done more, and now our focus is working with states,” Pence said. “The current guidelines I think you can say are very much incorporated in the guidance that we’re giving states to open up America again.”

Earlier this month, the White House unveiled guidelines that recommend a three-phase approach for states and counties to begin reopening their economies. They did not include many specifics about testing levels or number of virus cases. 

In the first phase, people are encouraged to continue practicing physical distancing while vulnerable populations remain at home and employees are allowed to continue teleworking. 

Businesses like gyms can open under the first phase if they institute strict physical distancing, while bars are encouraged to remain closed.

If there’s no indication of a rebound, a state could move to phase two, which allows schools to open, nonessential travel to resume and large venues to begin to ease physical distancing. 

Phase three lifts most remaining restrictions, although it still advises large venues continue “limited” physical distancing.

The White House has largely left individual governors to make their own decisions on when to reopen, though Trump has criticized some Democratic-led states for moving too slowly. 

Florida, Georgia, Colorado and Texas have already opened or announced plans to open certain businesses and public spaces, some more quickly than others. 

“We are very encouraged to see how the federal guidelines have helped inform, or at least provide a framework, for governors moving forward,” White House coronavirus task force coordinator Deborah Birx said.