Fauci, Redfield, Hahn Can Be at White House After Virus Exposure

(Bloomberg) -- Three top U.S. health officials will rejoin White House meetings, ending a period of isolation after an adviser to Vice President Mike Pence tested positive for coronavirus last week.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn and Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will participate in meetings as long as they remain asymptomatic and are wearing face masks, according to a joint statement issued Tuesday.

The three began self-isolating after Pence’s spokeswoman, Katie Miller, tested positive last week. Pence leads the coronavirus task force.

“Providing that they are asymptomatic, screened, and monitored for fever and other symptoms, wear a face covering, and maintain a distance of at least six feet from others, Drs. Redfield, Hahn, and Fauci can and will participate in meetings on the White House complex when their attendance is needed,” the joint statement from the CDC, FDA and NIAID said, adding that the three are considered essential workers.

Pence has declined to be in the same room as President Donald Trump since Miller’s diagnosis. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Tuesday that the measure was Pence’s decision and it will be up to him when to end it.

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