In another sign that the Democratic convention is still on track to be largely virtual due to the coronavirus, a senior convention official told members of Congress on Thursday not to travel to Wisconsin next month for the already reduced meeting.
In an email sent to Congressional chiefs of staff and obtained by NBC News, Senior Advisor for Congressional Affairs Chasseny Lewis told Senate and House offices of Democrats that members “should not plan to travel to Milwaukee. ” No delegate will travel to Milwaukee and Caucus, and Council meetings will take place virtually. ”
The move reinforces Democrats’ plans to avoid the kind of crowded convention hall and related events during the event, where former Vice President Joe Biden will accept the party’s nomination, which could expose thousands of attendees to the coronavirus amid a pandemic. growing.
Katie Peters, communications director for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, said in a statement Thursday night that the email sent to the offices of Congress “reiterates our guidance from several weeks ago that all members of state delegations , including elected leaders, should plan to conduct their official business remotely. “
Last month, the Democratic National Committee announced that it would move to broadcast virtually from Milwaukee and other remote locations across the country due to coronavirus concerns, prompting them to significantly downsize their convention and move to a smaller location. .
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved in the 2020 Democratic National Convention drives every decision we make,” said Peters. “Last week, we sent delegates guidance on how they will vote and hope to share more details on other opportunities for delegates in the coming weeks.”
The discouragement of travel came the same day that Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel wrote a letter to members saying that attendance at her convention in Jacksonville, Florida, next month will be restricted, but not prohibited, as a result of the pandemic. President Donald Trump will deliver his nomination acceptance speech on the last day of August 27.
The RNC plans to use primarily outdoor venues and will limit most events to delegates, he said.
The committee had moved most of the convention from Charlotte, North Carolina, where it faced restrictions from social districts, to Florida, where it expected fewer pandemic-related rules.
But Florida has recently experienced a record COVID-19 case, and some Republicans say they will not attend the convention.
Dennis Romero contributed
