President Biden on his second day in office launched a national Covid-19 strategy and signed ten executive orders and other directives as part of the plan. Here are details of what’s in the plan and specific changes that people can expect in the coming weeks and months:
- Increased supplies such as masks, lab coats, gloves, Covid-19 rapid test kits, testing agents and vaccine supplies through actions by federal agencies that include the authorization of the Defense Production Act.
- States and schools will see more funding. The reimbursement of National Guard personnel and supplies costs will increase from 75% to 100%, and a federal disaster relief fund will be used to cover eligible reopening expenses for schools.
- A federal testing council will be created to increase testing, boost test manufacturing in the U.S., support screening for schools and ensure equal testing for communities of color.
- Travelers will have to wear masks at airports and on certain types of public transport, such as many trains, ships, intercity buses and airplanes. International travelers will be required to present proof of Covid-19 negative test before leaving for the USA and comply with isolation and quarantine guidelines upon arrival.
- A federal pre-clinical drug discovery and development program will focus on developing and evaluating treatments for pandemic threats and will support access to treatments for people without health insurance.
- Publicly available panels with information on Covid-19 cases, tests, vaccinations and hospital admissions will be made available at the national and state levels.
- Covid response contacts will be established for each state as management supports the launch of 100 federally supported community vaccination centers and the availability of vaccines in pharmacies next month.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will release employer guidelines on how to keep workers safe from exposure and will examine the establishment of temporary emergency standards.
- A federal task force will be created to provide Mr. Biden with recommendations on resource allocation and funding for communities with inequalities in virus results by race, ethnicity, geography, disability and other considerations.
- A presidential guideline focuses on supporting the international pandemic response effort.
Write to Stephanie Armor at [email protected]