Citing doctor recommendation, House reverses course, won't return Monday to Capitol Hill

Citing the recommendation of the Capitol physician, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer announced Tuesday morning that Congress will not be returning to the nation's capital next week, as was previously planned.

"We made a judgment that we will not come back next week but we hope to come back very soon," said Hoyer, the House's No. 2 Democrat in the Democrat-controlled chamber. 

Congress has essentially been on a five-week recess as a result of the coronavirus, with the exception of votes to pass emergency funding bills and other business. 

Hoyer told members Monday that they would return next week – resulting in surprise and safety concerns among lawmakers and aides. Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz reportedly called the decision "dangerous."

The Senate is still set to return next week, amid calls for Congress to resume full-time duties amid the pandemic.

D.C.-area cases of the virus continue to increase for the time being.