Coronavirus: Mike Pence will not be in a room with Donald Trump after aide tested positive

President on Monday shrugged off VP’s distance-keeping: ‘Yeah, we could talk on the phone’

Vice President Mike Pence plans to “keep his distance” from Donald Trump for “a few days” after a top aide tested positive for coronavirus, the top White House spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Kayleigh McEnany, during her third press briefing, called Mr Pence’s decision a “personal” one, but did not indicate when the president and vice president might again be in the same room.

Mr Pence is on the White House grounds on Tuesday but is not expected to see the president. His press secretary, Katie Miller, tested positive on Friday. Ms Miller is married to a top Trump policy aide, Stephen Miller, who also is in quarantine.

The lone item on the VP’s public schedule is leading a White House coronavirus meeting at 4 p.m. in the Situation Room.

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Mr Trump is not scheduled to attend.

He is slated to meet with GOP senators at the same time upstairs in the Cabinet Room.

Asked about his No. 2 keeping his distance, Mr Trump on Monday told reporters it is no big deal.

“And he’s a warrior too, just like doctors and nurses. I mean, he is working so hard, and he’s coming into contact with a lot of people,” the president said. “But again, he tested negative, so we have to understand that. But he comes into contact with a lot of people.

“I have not seen him since then (Friday),” Mr Trump added. “Yeah, we could talk on the phone.”