Pence to maintain social distancing between him and Trump as a safety measure [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The U.S President and Vice President plan to work away from each other following the coronavirus diagnosis of some White House staffers.
• The measure was implemented by White House officials to curb the spread of the virus at the building.
• Instead of a weekly test, Trump and Pence, along with staff members regularly interacting with them will now be tested daily.

Following the coronavirus diagnosis of Vice President Pence’s senior staffer, he and President Donald Trump are to have a certain level of distance from each other as a precautionary measure.

A White House official said that the two top leaders plan to apply such measures as soon as possible.

The move was the recent effort implemented by the White House to curb the spread of coronavirus after two staff members closely working with Trump were tested positive the previous week.

Press secretary to the White House, Kayleigh McEnany told news correspondents on Tuesday that keeping a safe distance from the president for just some days was Pence’s own decision, noting that he would yet to decide until when he will keep the measure.

All through April, Pence and Trump have been present on several events in the White House together, specially during COVID-19 press briefings since the crisis started.

On Monday, Trump spoke with reporters and said that he would opt to keep some space away from Pence as a safety effort after the coronavirus diagnosis of his press secretary,  Katie Miller.

Trump added that he hadn’t seen the vice president since then, and for now, talking through the phone would suffice.

It was Trump’s personal aide who was first tested positive with the bug, and Miller was confirmed with the infection last Friday, only a day after. The White House responded by heightening the restrictions in the building as a way to keep the president safe from the infection, and this also includes daily tests for the two leaders and other officials who are in close contact with them.

Another recent measure also includes the obligatory wearing of face masks for all officials working at the West Wing starting Monday. Staffers are also advised to maintain social distancing, but are not required to wear face protection while on their desk.

On the time his press secretary was tested positive on Friday, Pence has visited Iowa. He was scheduled to the White House this week for teleconference meetings with several officials and state governors.

The vice president was not seen in attendance during Monday’s Rose Garden briefing.

Source: The Hill