Despite controversies, endless political debate, and protests, 16 states have formally submitted reopening plans to the White House amid the global coronavirus pandemic, Vice President Mike Pence announced Thursday.
"Thirteen of those were actually released after [President Donald Trump] unveiled the opening up America guidelines to our governors and to the nation last week," Pence, the head of the White House coronavirus task force, said at Thursday's daily briefing.
"And to your point, Mr. President, states are beginning to make those plans, and we're encouraged to see so many states embracing the phased approach their economies as contemplated in our guidelines for opening up America again."
Pence also announced an urging by the task force for local hospitals that meet the safety protocols in the Reopening American Again plan to begin elective surgeries by May 1.
Amid the pandemic, hospitals had to shut down elective surgeries, which is one of the primary revenue stream for many hospitals around the country. The urging to permit electiver surgeries is designed to help hospitals remain financially solvent while helping save lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for the complete list of states.
Among the states to have publicly announced reopening plans:
- Texas.
- Georgia.
- Florida.
- Missouri.
- Pennsylvania.
- Oregon.
- Idaho.
- Vermont.
- South Dakota.
- North Dakota.
Alaska, Hawaii, Wyoming, and Montana are also among the states with the fewest confirmed cases or deaths, according to Worldometers, which culls data from Johns Hopkins University and recent media reports.
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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