(CNN) Former Vice President Joe Biden called for widespread testing and a continuation of social distancing in a New York Times op-ed published Sunday that lays out his plan to "safely" reopen the country amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

His stated strategy comes as a new debate buds in the Trump administration over whether May 1 is now the target date of revival for the US economy. If the curve is flattening, sources say President Donald Trump has asked in meetings, shouldn't some people be allowed back to work?

Biden, alternatively, called for a series of aggressive steps before the country can "reopen more businesses and put more people back to work."

The former vice president outlined the need to continue social distancing while utilizing the "full powers" of the Defense Production Act and establishing widespread testing.

He also stressed the need to make sure hospitals are ready for "flare-ups of the disease" that may occur when economic activity expands again.

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