Trump announces phased reopening guidelines, defers to governors

President Donald Trump has announced guidelines for reopening the US economy, emphasizing a slow and cautious approach with states taking the lead in easing lockdown measures.

The White House guidelines propose three vague phases for relaxing social distancing and opening up travel and public gatherings, without specific timelines.

While Trump initially claimed total authority, he has deferred the decision-making power to the 50 state governors, who will now manage the pace of reopening.

This shift places the responsibility on state leaders like Governors Andrew Cuomo of New York and Ron DeSantis of Florida to navigate the complex process.

Grassroots anti-lockdown movements, particularly in right-wing circles, have been protesting in several Democrat-run states, which Trump has supported with 'LIBERATE' tweets.

Some sparsely populated states with fewer coronavirus cases, like Montana and Wyoming, may see parts of their economies reopen sooner.

However, hard-hit states like New York are extending their lockdowns, while others like Texas and Florida are beginning to relax restrictions on specific sectors.

The reopening process raises significant questions about avoiding a resurgence of the virus, particularly concerning domestic travel and the ability of states to monitor for new outbreaks.

Experts stress the critical need for vastly increased testing capabilities to effectively track and manage potential new outbreaks as the economy gradually reopens.