JIM WATSONAFP via Getty Images President-elect Joe Biden said on Thursday that he will not pursue a national lockdown to combat the coronavirus. "I am not gonna shut down the economy, period," Biden said Thursday. No national shutdown." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President-elect Joe Biden committed to keeping the US economy open Thursday, clarifying his stance on a national lockdown. No national shutdown." —CBS News (@CBSNews) November 19, 2020 Previously, Biden gave similar answers to hypothetical questions about a national shutdown, saying he would follow the advice of medical experts.