White House Unveils 3-Phase Plan for Easing Social Distancing, Schools Appear in Phase 2

Last week, President Trump released a broad, three-phase plan to restore public access to goods and services that have been restricted because of COVID-19. Each phase is dependent on tiered scale-down of infection and scaled-up testing and vaccinations and does not include specific timelines.

Phase one would allow for the reopening of restaurants, gyms, and entertainment businesses as long as they adhere to strict social distancing guidelines. In phase two, schools and youth activities would reopen and restrictions on businesses would be relaxed, although not eliminated. Vulnerable populations would be encouraged to stay home and employers would be asked to have their workforce telework when possible until phase three, when they would resume in-person activities with social distancing.

The plan fails to acknowledge that many students and school personnel fall into the category of “vulnerable populations,” identified by the White House as people of advanced age or with serious health conditions including asthma, obesity, and diabetes. Ultimately, it is up to states and localities to ease the restrictions they have imposed.

To view the White House’s plan, go here.