White House Guidance Suggests Phased-In Approach for Easing COVID-19 Restrictions

On Thursday, April 16, the White House released guidance for a phased-in approach for easing social distancing and stay-at-home restrictions instituted in response to the novel coronavirus-19. In a call with state governors on Thursday, President Trump said that each state can determine its own plan for reopening, and that the White House three-phase plan titled, "Guidelines: Opening Up America Again," was intended to serve as general guidance and was not a mandate.

Some state governors are starting to lay out forward-looking scenarios. However, state governors remain concerned about relaxing stay-at-home restrictions too early, before there is the capacity to clearly identify who is sick and where.