Coronavirus: White House mandates virus test for anyone in ‘close proximity’ to Donald Trump or Mike Pence
- A White House spokesman confirmed the new protocol Friday as part of an effort to protect the president and the vice-president
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Myah Ward on politico.com on March 3, 2020.
The White House is administering a rapid coronavirus test to anyone coming into contact with President Donald Trump or Vice-President Mike Pence, Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere confirmed to POLITICO on Friday.
“As the Physician to the President and White House Operations continue to protect the health and safety of the President and the Vice President, starting today anyone who is expected to be in close proximity to either of them will be administered a Covid-19 test to evaluate for pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers status to limit inadvertent transmission,” Deere said in a statement.
The definition of “close proximity” is unclear, but a White House official confirmed that the testing protocol does not include reporters at this time. The White House has been taking the temperature of those close to Trump and Pence – including reporters attending daily briefings at the White House – since March 14.
Reporters asked the president about the new testing requirement during his meeting with oil executives Friday afternoon. Trump turned to the group attending the meeting and asked if any of them wanted to be tested.