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Biden signed at least 10 executive actions on coronavirus yesterday. Here's what we know.
From CNN's Betsy Klein, Veronica Stracqualursi and Kate Sullivan
President Joe Biden signs executive orders after speaking about the coronavirus in the State Dinning Room of the White House, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP
President Biden's first full day in office on Thursday focused on rolling out his national strategy to get the coronavirus pandemic under control and signing several executive actions, including ramping up vaccination supplies and requiring international travelers to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test prior to traveling to the US.
On his first full day in office, Biden
signed at least 10 executive orders, memorandums and directives focused on tackling the pandemic.
"Our national strategy is comprehensive, it's based on science, not politics. It's based on truth, not denial, and it's detailed," Biden said, speaking from the White House. He said the 198-page plan is posted on
WhiteHouse.gov.
Biden's plan starts with a national vaccination campaign in order to meet the President's goal of administering 100 million shots, which is enough to cover 50 million Americans with vaccines that require two doses, in his first 100 days in office.
He said the plan was developed with input from the nation's top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, among other advisers and experts.
Biden signed executive orders ramping up supplies for vaccination, testing and personal protective equipment and another boosting development of therapeutics to treat Covid-19.
Biden emphasized the need for Americans to wear face masks in order to stop the spread of the virus, saying masks are "even more important than the vaccines."
Following through on his campaign proposals, Biden also signed two executive orders creating a National Pandemic Testing Board to improve US coronavirus testing capacity and a Covid-19 Health Equity Task Force to ensure an "equitable" pandemic response and recovery.
Here's a look at some of Covid-19 executive orders he signed yesterday:
President Joe Biden has taken 28 executive actions in two days
On his first two days in office, Biden issued 28 executive orders, presidential memoranda and agency directives, primarily focused on addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and undoing former President Donald Trump's actions. Nine of Biden's executive actions directly reverse Trump's policies.
| Date | Topic | Reversal | Summary |
|---|
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | Accelerates manufacturing and delivery of supplies for vaccination, testing and Personal Protective Equipment |
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | Directs FEMA to expand reimbursement to states to fully cover the cost for National Guard personnel and emergency supplies |
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | Establishes the Pandemic Testing Board to expand US coronavirus testing capacity |
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | Establishes a preclinical program to boost development of therapeutics in response to pandemic threats |
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | Enhances the nation's collection, production, sharing and analysis of coronavirus data |
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | Directs FEMA to create federally-supported community vaccination centers |
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | Directs the Department of Education and HHS to provide guidance for safely reopening and operating schools, childcare providers and institutions of higher education |
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | Calls on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to release clear guidance on Covid-19, decide whether to establish emergency temporary standards, and directs OSHA to enforce worker health and safety requirements |
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | Requires mask wearing in airports and on certain modes of transportation, including many trains, airplanes, maritime vessels and intercity buses. International travelers must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test prior to coming to the US |
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | Creates the Covid-19 Health Equity Task Force to help ensure an equitable pandemic response and recovery |
| January 21 | Coronavirus | No | A presidential directive to restore America's leadership, support the international pandemic response effort, promote resilience for future threats and advance global health security and the Global Health Security Agenda |
| January 20 | Coronavirus | No | Launches a "100 Days Masking Challenge" asking Americans to wear masks for 100 days. Requires masks and physical distancing in federal buildings, on federal lands and by government contractors, and urges states and local governments to do the same. |
| January 20 | Coronavirus | Yes | Stops the United States' withdrawal from the World Health Organization, with Dr. Anthony Fauci becoming the head of the delegation to the WHO |
| January 20 | Coronavirus | No | Creates the position of Covid-19 Response Coordinator, reporting directly to Biden and managing efforts to produce and distribute vaccines and medical equipment |
| January 20 | Economy | No | Extends the existing nationwide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until at least March 31 |
| January 20 | Economy | No | Extends the existing pause on student loan payments and interest for Americans with federal student loans until at least September 30 |
| January 20 | Environment | Yes | Rejoins the Paris climate accord, a process that will take 30 days |
| January 20 | Environment | Yes | Cancels the Keystone XL pipeline and directs agencies to review and reverse more than 100 Trump actions on the environment |
| January 20 | Equity | Yes | Rescinds the Trump administration's 1776 Commission, directs agencies to review their actions to ensure racial equity |
| January 20 | Equity | No | Prevents workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity |
| January 20 | Census | Yes | Requires non-citizens to be included in the Census and apportionment of congressional representatives |
| January 20 | Immigration | No | Fortifies DACA after Trump's efforts to undo protections for undocumented people brought into the country as children |
| January 20 | Immigration | Yes | Reverses the Trump administration's restrictions on US entry for passport holders from seven Muslim-majority countries |
| January 20 | Immigration | Yes | Undoes Trump's expansion of immigration enforcement within the United States |
| January 20 | Immigration | Yes | Halts construction of the border wall by terminating the national emergency declaration used to fund it |
| January 20 | Immigration | No | Extends deferrals of deportation and work authorizations for Liberians with a safe haven in the United States until June 30, 2022 |
| January 20 | Ethics | No | Requires executive branch appointees to sign an ethics pledge barring them from acting in personal interest and requiring them to uphold the independence of the Department of Justice |
| January 20 | Regulation | Yes | Directs OMB director to develop recommendations to modernize regulatory review and undoes Trump's regulatory approval process |
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