But a top health adviser on his team strongly cautioned that masks should not lull Americans into a false sense of security that would lead them to abandon social distancing guidelines that the White House has encouraged to slow the spread of the coronavirus as the death toll in the United States rises.

Speaking at a White House task force briefing, Trump said the new guidance would stop short of requiring all Americans to wear face coverings.

"I don't think they'll be mandatory because some people don't want to do that," he said, adding that Americans who do want to wear face coverings can "decide for themselves."

He repeated his assertion that fabric coverings like scarves would be preferential, both because they avoid use of medical-grade masks needed in hospitals and because of their thickness.

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