The White House has begun checking the temperatures of anyone coming in close proximity to President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence this week.
“Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the President and Vice President,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.
Staff members checked the temperatures of journalists entering the press briefing room for a noon briefing about the coronavirus outbreak.
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One person was blocked from attending the briefing, as his temperature reportedly registered above 100.4F three times.
Katie Miller, the press secretary for Pence, tweeted: “According to the White House Medical Unit, the temperature was taken three times over a 15 minute period – all three registered above the @CDCgov 100.4 guidelines.”
During the press briefing, both Trump and Pence confirmed that they too had their temperatures checked.
Kelly Daschle, a senior producer for the Associated Press, tweeted a video of the temperature checks Monday, and wrote that the White House had also “updated seating arrangement to ensure social distancing in the briefing room.”
