Mnuchin indicated that the president’s preference for a payroll tax holiday — a six- to eight-month process — would take too long to put money into Americans’ pockets.

“The president has instructed me we have to do this now. So this is now,” Mnuchin said. “This is stuff that needs to be done now. The president has instructed me that this is no fault to American workers. For medical reasons, we are shutting down parts of this economy, and we are going to use all the tools we have.”

Governors across the country have closed restaurants, bars and other venues across their states as public health officials continue to encourage social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. The White House released new guidelines Monday encouraging people not gather in groups larger than 10, work and take classes from home as much possible and avoid dining in bars, restaurants and food courts.

President Donald Trump discussed on a call with restaurant executives Tuesday morning the important role drive-thru and delivery options can play as Americans adjust to their new normal while the nation grapples with the global pandemic.

As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 5,000 cases have been confirmed in the U.S., though experts expect that number to rise as more testing is made available. More than 90 people have died.

The president met later with tourism industry leaders in the Cabinet Room, where he said how large the checks will be is “all being figured out now.”

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, Mnuchin refused to confirm whether the administration was considering sending two waves of $250 billion worth of checks to Americans after previewing the plan at a lunch with Senate Republicans, dismissing reports of that figure as “rumors.”

Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah has proposed sending every American $1,000, and Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas has signaled support for a similar proposal to provide immediate economic relief to American families.

At the White House press conference, Mnuchin also announced that Treasury would defer an additional $100 billion in Internal Revenue Service payments, bringing the total to $300 billion. Individuals can defer up to $1 million, he said, while corporations can defer up to $10 million. The deferments are interest- and penalty-free for 90 days.