Trump administration won't extend coronavirus social distancing guidelines into May

The federal guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19 will not be extended beyond the end-of-April target set in mid-March, with President Donald Trump telling reporters Wednesday that he backed the efforts of governors as they begin a phased reopening of the economy.

“They’ll be fading out,” Trump said of the guidelines, which included minimizing unnecessary travel, encouraging sick and vulnerable people to stay home and strict social distancing such as avoiding groups of 10 or more and keeping 6 feet away from others in public.

“Now the governors are doing it," added the president, speaking with reporters in the Oval Office during a meeting with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards. “We’ve spoken with many, many governors. They’re explaining what they’re doing. I’m very much in favor of what they’re doing. They’re getting it going. They’re opening the country again."

Vice President Mike Pence said that “Frankly, every state in America has embraced those guidelines at a minimum. Now, our focus is working with states as governors unveil plans to open.”