Federal Government Issues New Stricter Guidelines to Fight Spread of Coronavirus
On Monday, President Donald Trump announced a set of new government guidelines for Americans to follow as part of the effort to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Among the new guidelines was an even stricter version of social distancing with the administration asking people across the country to avoid groups of more than 10 at one time.
Other guidelines issued by the White House included:- IF YOU FEEL SICK, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.
- IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE SICK, keep them at home. Do not send them to school. Contact your medical provider.
- IF SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS TESTED POSITIVE for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
- IF YOU ARE AN OLDER PERSON, stay home and away from other people.
- IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A SERIOUS UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITION that can put you at increase risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lungs or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.
- IF YOU WORK IN A CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work.
- AVOID SOCIAL GATHERINGS in groups of more than 10 people.
Health officials with the federal government also said that people should work or go to school from home whenever possible and avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants or food courts, instead opting to use drive-thru, pick up or delivery options.
Americans were also advised to avoid discretionary travel, shopping trips, and other social visits - especially to nursing or retirement homes and long-term care facilities.
