White House Introduces New Safety Precautions To Restrict Coronavirus From Spreading Within The President's Aides
With coronavirus marking its foray into the West Wing, the White House is understandably taking more precautions to make sure the president and the rest of his staff members are safe. This move comes after two administration members tested positive for COVID-19 recently.
President Donald Trump, as well as Vice President Mike Pence, is tested for the virus daily. Likewise, staff members who come in contact with them on a regular basis will be tested daily as well. Moreover, staff members will follow social distancing guidelines, those visiting the White House will be tested and workspaces will be cleaned thoroughly every day in a bid to restrict the virus from spreading among the staffers.
On top of that, the staff will be undergoing daily temperature checks and their symptom histories will also be reviewed, White House spokesman Judd Deere confirmed Sunday. In collaboration with the president’s physician, White House operations are leaving no stone unturned in a bid to ensure the president, first family and the rest of the White House complex is safe, Deere said.
Pence's office debunked speculations suggesting that he is in self-isolation as key Navy admiral announced he would undergo self-quarantine. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday had come in contact with a family member who tested positive for COVID-19, while a Defense Department spokesman confirmed that Gilday tested negative but will go in quarantine this week.
On Saturday, chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen. Joseph Lengyel tested positive for coronavirus, but later he tested negative, the spokesman said. He is slated to undergo a third test on Monday to confirm he hasn't contracted coronavirus, the spokesman confirmed.
Media reports (via USA Today) on Sunday suggested that after Katie Miller, Pence's spokeswoman tested positive for coronavirus, the vice president of the United States has opted to self-quarantine. Pence's office denied that was the case. While he continues following guidance from the White House Medical Unit, Pence is not in quarantine, his spokesman Devin O’Malley said.
Pence, who continue to test negative on a daily basis will be visiting the White House on Monday, O’Malley confirmed. The additional safety introduced in the White House is a result of both Trump, as well as Pence's aides testing positive for coronavirus and three White House Coronavirus Task Force members going into quarantine after coming in close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19. One of Trump's valet has also tested positive for the disease.