Expanding State-Approved Diagnostic Tests

• Published date: 18 March 2020
• Citation: 85 FR 15335
• Record Number: 2020-05793
• Section: Presidential Documents
• Court: Executive Office Of The President

Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 53 (Wednesday, March 18, 2020)

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 18, 2020)]
                [Presidential Documents]
                [Page 15335]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-05793] Presidential Documents
                Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 53 / Wednesday, March 18, 2020 /
                Presidential Documents
                ___________________________________________________________________
                Title 3--
                The President
                [[Page 15335]]
                 Memorandum of March 13, 2020
                
                Expanding State-Approved Diagnostic Tests
                 Memorandum for the Secretary of Health and Human
                 Services
                 By the authority vested in me as President by the
                 Constitution and the laws of the United States of
                 America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
                 It is the policy of the United States to take proactive
                 measures to prepare for and respond to public health
                 threats, including the public health emergency
                 involving Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which
                 was declared by the Secretary of Health and Human
                 Services (the ``Secretary'') on January 31, 2020,
                 pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service
                 Act (42 U.S.C. 247d). Our response must include
                 heightened coordination among Federal, State, local,
                 and tribal agencies, and we must offer States the
                 flexibility they need to care for their citizens. In
                 accordance with this principle, the Food and Drug
                 Administration, in coordination with the State of New
                 York, allowed the State flexibility in expediting
                 State-approved COVID-19 testing.
                 Should additional States request flexibility to
                 authorize laboratories within the State to develop and
                 perform tests used to detect COVID-19, the Secretary
                 shall take appropriate action, consistent with law, to
                 facilitate the request.
                 You are authorized and directed to publish this
                 memorandum in the Federal Register.
                
                
                 (Presidential Sig.)
                 THE WHITE HOUSE,
                 Washington, March 13, 2020
                [FR Doc. 2020-05793
                Filed 3-17-20; 8:45 am]
                Billing code 3295-F0-P