Infected Trump working from residence; West Wing spaces considered

WASHINGTON|Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump is working from makeshift office space in the White House residence rather than the Oval Office, with only a few senior staff gaining face-to-face access while he receives treatment for COVID-19, officials said on Tuesday.

They said aides were looking at potential West Wing workspaces while he recovers, with the Oval Office, where Trump normally works, off-limits now that several staffers have been infected and forced to work from home.

Aides said they were looking at where else he might safely work in the West Wing.

"He has space up in the residence and we are working out an additional workspace for him with appropriate medical precautions and logistics so that he can fully carry out his duties and maintain the safety of himself and all those around him," said one official.

Trump returned to the White House on Monday after three nights at a military hospital. His presence poses an unusual challenge: how to work effectively without exposing to the potentially fatal virus those assigned to take care of him.

The West Wing and the residence, where first lady Melania Trump is also quarantining, are being deep-cleaned daily. Trump has had contact with White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and communications aide Dan Scavino since his infection became public.