Unemployed Reach 22 Million in One Month... Trump Announces Phased Economic Normalization

Announcement of 3-Stage Guidelines According to COVID Situation
"Implementation Timing Decided by Governor"
Step Back from Claiming Authority Over Economic Reopening

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 16th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump announced a three-phase economic reopening guideline that eases economic activities in the United States depending on the containment status of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). This reflects an urgent determination that economic activities can no longer be halted amid the situation where the number of unemployed due to COVID-19 has reached 22 million.

At a COVID-19 task force (TF) press conference held at the White House that day, President Trump stated, "Healthy Americans can now return to work if conditions are met." He added, "We have prepared these guidelines very cautiously and without lowering our guard," and Vice President Mike Pence further explained, "They were prepared based on the best science and common sense."

Named "Opening Up America Again," this 18-page guideline outlines measures that individuals, businesses, schools, hospitals, public facilities, gyms, and bars can take according to the trend of COVID-19 outbreak mitigation. According to the guideline, the easing requirements are broadly divided into three phases. Phase 1 requirements include ▲a downward trajectory of flu-like and COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days ▲a downward trajectory of confirmed cases or a decrease in the positive test rate relative to the number of tests for 14 days ▲hospitals treating all patients and having a robust testing program for healthcare workers.

In states that meet Phase 1 requirements, individuals can resume social activities, but vulnerable groups to COVID-19 should continue to shelter in place. Even when going to public places, social distancing guidelines must be followed as much as possible, and gatherings of more than 10 people should be avoided where appropriate social distancing cannot be maintained. Businesses are encouraged to continue remote work where possible but can gradually return to the workplace. However, schools remain closed, and visits to nursing homes and hospitals are prohibited. Large venues such as restaurants, theaters, and places of worship can operate only under strict social distancing, and bars are not allowed to operate.

Phase 2 can proceed when there is no evidence of COVID-19 resurgence and Phase 1 requirements have been met twice. For individuals, the size of gatherings to avoid expands to fewer than 50 people, and non-essential travel may be permitted. Businesses are still encouraged to promote remote work where possible. Schools may reopen, but visits to nursing homes and hospitals remain prohibited. Restaurants, theaters, and similar venues can operate under relaxed social distancing, and elective medical procedures may resume. Bars can operate with reduced capacity.

The final Phase 3 applies when there is no evidence of COVID-19 resurgence and Phase 1 requirements have been met three times. Vulnerable groups can also participate in public activities but should minimize exposure in places where social distancing is difficult. Businesses can hire employees without restrictions. Visits to nursing homes and hospitals are allowed, and large venues such as restaurants and theaters can operate under limited social distancing guidelines.

Although President Trump emphasized until the day before that he had the authority to reopen the economy, on this day he calmly explained the phased guidelines and their necessity together with health experts.

CNN and other broadcasters reported that during a video conference with governors that afternoon, President Trump said, "You will call your own shots."

The guidelines do not include specific dates for reopening the economy or reopening all economic activities at once. According to his explanation, governors have the authority to adjust approaches based on each state's situation. New York State extended its shutdown measures for non-essential businesses for two more weeks until May 15.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the U.S. National Institutes of Health, described the plan as "a somewhat robust program to return to normal." The economic reopening guidelines came after the government announced last week that new unemployment claims in the U.S. reached 5.24 million. As it was revealed that 22 million people lost their jobs within four weeks since the COVID-19 outbreak, it became impossible to continue watching the damage caused by the suspension of economic activities. CNBC reported that all jobs created since the 2009 global financial crisis in the U.S. disappeared in the past month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.