During a Friday interview on Fox Business Network’s “Varney & Co.,” Vice President Mike Pence emphasized the importance of reopening the country, but stressed the need to do so “responsibly.”

Pence echoed Dr. Anthony Fauci’s sentiment that President Donald Trump’s initial date of Easter was an “aspirational goal,” but told viewers the timetable whenever it may be will hasten if they follow Trump’s “15 Days to Slow the Spread” and listen to their state and local officials.

“[M]y only answer any time people ask me about timing is two things: Number one, President Trump made it clear that we want to open up the country, but we’re going to do it responsibly. And number two, we’re going to do it based upon the data,” Pence told host Stuart Varney.

He added, “The president is anxious to give guidance based on the data to our governors so that they can decide whether it be reopening businesses, reopening schools about the best way to open our country up again. Whenever that timetable is — and the president expressed an aspirational goal of Easter, Stuart — the best thing every American can do to hasten the day is to put into practice the president’s ’15 Days to Slow the Spread.'”

Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent