Tesla's CEO Elon Musk says he's willing to be arrested as Tesla reopens its factory in California.

On Monday, Tesla CEO Elon Musk admitted to defying the restrictions, in a tweet: "Tesla is restarting production today against Alameda County rules. I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me."

California Governor Gavin Newsom says he will speak with Tesla officials after the company ordered employees back to work despite COVID-19 restrictions in the area. 

Reuters reports, Governor Newsom was not aware Tesla would be restarting production. 

New York, epicenter of coronavirus, plans to reopen

In the meantime, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced parts of the state might be able to reopen by the end of the week. 

Cuomo said regions must meet seven specific criteria to reopen, which includes a 14-day decline in cases of COVID-19, as recommended in the Centers for Disease Control federal guidelines.  

With over 26,600 deaths, New York continues to be the U.S. epicenter for the virus.

The U.S. is also the global leader in COVID-19 deaths and infections, according to Johns Hopkins University. 

As U.S. states continue to relax COVID-19 measures, health officials are warning of future spikes in infections. According to a model from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, COVID-19 deaths are expected to increase to more than 137,000 by August.

White House orders staff to wear masks

The White House is now directing officials and staff to wear masks while inside the West Wing. 

This comes after Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary and a valet for President Trump both tested positive for COVID-19 last week. VP Pence is the highest-ranking U.S. official to socially isolate because of the virus, but the new White House directive will not apply to Trump.

According to JHU, U.S. COVID-19 deaths have passed 80,000.

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