[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]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 53 / Wednesday, March 18, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 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