President Donald Trump declared Wednesday night that the federal government will not extend the social distancing measures beyond Thursday, indicating that it is counting on the states to take charge as they prepare to reopen their economies.
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The government says its precautionary guidelines issued 45 days ago have been incorporated into recommendations given to states on how they can gradually begin to lift restrictions and resume activities.
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“They are going to disappear gradually now that the governors are doing it,” Trump told reporters in his office Wednesday, where he was meeting with Louisiana Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards.
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Some states have already announced plans to ease restrictions on social distancing and jump-start the economy, but others are cautious and have not taken that step.
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Orders to stay home expire Thursday in Alabama, Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, North Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott said he will allow the order to expire, as does his North Dakota counterpart Doug Burgum, who said he is unlikely to extend his state’s directive.
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However, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards extended the orders in their states until May 15.
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