White House unveils 3-phase process for reopening the economy

President Trump outlined new federal guidelines for opening up the country, urging state governors to base their decisions on data. CNBC's Eamon Javers reports.

President Donald Trump unveiled broad new federal guidelines Thursday that lay out conditions for parts of the U.S. to start relaxing some of the strict social distancing measures imposed to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 18-page plan for “Opening Up America Again” identifies the circumstances necessary for areas of the country to allow employees to start returning to work – but the decision to lift restrictions will ultimately be made by state governors.

“We must have a working economy. And we want to get it back. Very, very quickly. And that’s what’s going to happen,” Trump said at a White House press briefing after announcing the new guidance.

As many as 29 states “will be able to open relatively soon,” Trump said later in the briefing. “We have a lot of states that, through location, through luck and also through a lot of talent ... are in a very good position.”

But “it could be that sometime in the fall there could be some flare-ups” of the virus, the president added.

States, which have imposed their own containment measures to try to slow the spread of the disease, are not legally required to follow the White House’s instructions. But the new guidance nevertheless ramps up pressure on governors to loosen their restrictions, even as health experts and business leaders alike warn that widespread testing systems are needed before Americans can safely start returning to their normal lives.

“America wants to be open and Americans want to be open,” Trump said. “We took the greatest economy in the history of the world, and we closed it in order to win this war. And we’re in the process of winning now.”

Despite the president saying earlier this week that he believed some states may be able to “reopen” their economies before May, the White House guidelines do not offer any specific dates.

Rather, the plan lays out three “phases” aimed at guiding parts of the country to move incrementally toward loosening restrictions on businesses and individuals.

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[edwardcrane]

If I want to go to the gym and take a risk that is my problem

[edwardcrane]

They closed the gym at oceana naval base!!!! Open them back up

[TheLiang]

4 weeks from peak of 6000 to 3000 of daily increase in Italy! New York City will re-open in mid June

[skylarparks]

Is it just me or does that guy look like the guy in UP?

[Ultramanfanx]

The Coronavirus is tuff for me but this will all go away till then I should chill out

[Dan-udhz]

"Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavoured to subdue us, is of all others, the most improper to defend us."
Thomas Paine,  Common Sense

[nothanksdonnadamage]

If you don't want to go to the gym then don't.

[chimpspecialist]

Gyms and bars can open? This is his idea for opening the country?

[shawnnewell]

And where's the South and Southwestern governors on this?

[danceprometheus]

the one reporter is tripping and high af

[chanidax]

Well I say #generalstrike You guys go out and do it. Only job I'm getting to is gardening. #dieforthedow

[dennismiller]

Can i go my room now, im cashing out my 11year $500quadrillion dollar internet stock page!
#1Fokus #Ghostwriter