May 12 (UPI) — The White House mandated on Monday that staffers wear masks while moving about the West Wing, officials said.
The mandate directs staffers to wear masks while not sitting at their desks and to avoid visits to the White House unless necessary.
During a press briefing on Monday, President Donald Trump and Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health, addressed media from separate podiums but did not wear masks.
Trump pointed out that other White House staffers in attendance were wearing masks, adding that staffers wear masks when within a certain distance of him and each other.
He indicated, however, he would not wear a mask, saying he is “not close to anybody.”
A copy of the memo announcing the mandate obtained by The Wall Street Journal cites the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines encouraging the use of facial coverings but made no mention of whether Trump or Vice President Mike Pence will be required to abide by the guidelines.
The mandate comes after Pence’s press secretary, Katie Miller, as well as one of Trump’s personal valets, recently tested positive for COVID-19.
On Sunday, Pence said he stayed away from the White House for the weekend, while Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they would be working from home.
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn announced he had already gone into quarantine on Friday.
