President Donald Trump says that he wants to get the country back up and running again by Easter Sunday. The economy has taken a massive hit after businesses across the country have been forced to shut down as local officials try to slow down the spread of COVID-19.

Speaking from the Rose Garden during an interview with Fox News, President Trump said he "would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter," which falls on April 12 this year.

Trump said he is concerned that the economic impact of shutdowns could cause more harm in the long-term than the virus itself.

"This cure is worse than the problem," Trump said. "in my opinion, more people are going to die if we allow this to continue."

Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the federal government's coronavirus response, said that there are no plans to institute a nationwide lockdown in response to the global pandemic.

While the White House is optimistic that businesses can begin to reopen in the coming weeks, top officials at the Pentagon have cautioned that things may not get back to normal for another three months.

President Trump may not be able to do much to get businesses open again by mid-April because all of the shutdowns and stay at home orders being made by governors and mayors across the country. In recent days, a growing number of states have ordered all non-essential businesses to close, while asking people to remain at home and only leave if it is absolutely necessary.

To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

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