Donald Trump advises against social gatherings of more than 10 people, has no plans for a national lockdown
- The US president said he expected the coronavirus outbreak to last until July, August or even longer
- Multiple state governors have ordered the shuttering of restaurants, bars and other non-essential businesses to ‘flatten’ the epidemic curve
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he expected the coronavirus outbreak to last until July, August or even longer, as he urged Americans to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people to curb the nationwide surge in infections.
“It could be July, August, something like that,” Trump said. “It could be right in that period of time [when] I say it washes through.”
The president said, however, that he had no plans for now to impose a nationwide lockdown similar to restrictions imposed in recent days by European nations like France and Italy.
Shortly after Trump’s remarks, San Francisco’s mayor, London Breed, declared a partial shutdown of the city, with most businesses apart from grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and gas stations ordered closed from midnight. Restaurants are allowed to stay open for takeout or delivery orders.
When asked about the possibility of a national lockdown during the White House briefing of his Covid-19 task force, Trump said it would be “At this point not nationwide,” and that “We may look at certain areas, at certain hotspots.”
Trump also announced his administration was advising Americans to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people. The new guideline comes on the back of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s advisory on Sunday that recommended the cancellation of in-person events that consist of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks.