Vice President Pence said Wednesday that Republican officials are considering moving the party convention events in Jacksonville, Florida, outdoors next month.
“Consideration is being given to having the convention in an outdoor setting and also putting in place the kind of measures that will put the health of all the participants, our delegates, visitors and anyone else who is present. We will put everyone’s health first. “Pence told reporters in a press campaign on Wednesday afternoon.
Plans for the convention were clouded by uncertainty as a result of the dramatic increase in coronavirus cases in Florida. President Trump
Donald John TrumpIvanka Trump launches Goya Foods products on Twitter Sessions defends the challenge: “I leave the elected office with my integrity intact” Former White House doctor Ronny Jackson wins the second round of Texas MORE, who lobbied for a large-scale convention despite warnings from public health experts, said last week that the Republican Party would be “flexible” in its planning, but offered no details on what it meant.
Pence echoed Trump’s comments Wednesday and described the convention as “a work in progress.” He said the campaign is continually consulting with Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry (R) and the Governor of Florida. Ron DeSantis
Ronald Dion DeSantisFlorida records the highest number of deaths from coronavirus in one day. DeSantis sued for not having an ASL interpreter at the coronavirus briefings. (R), as well as other local health officials.
“We will be working closely with officials in Jacksonville. The RNC is developing those plans, and I am confident that the campaign will announce them in the coming days,” Pence told reporters.
Several media outlets have reported in recent days that Republican Party officials were planning to move Jacksonville events outdoors amid health concerns, though those familiar with the discussions have warned that they are preparing for various scenarios and that nothing has been made official.
Public health experts have discouraged large gatherings during the pandemic, although they say outdoor events are safer than indoor ones.
Meanwhile, Florida surpassed 300,000 cases of coronavirus on Wednesday after adding more than 10,000 new reports of individuals infected with COVID-19. The state also exceeded its daily death record on Tuesday after reporting 133.
The state has been forced to reverse its reopening of business amid increasing infections. Most cases have been concentrated in Miami-Dade County, although other areas, including Jacksonville, have also seen an increase in the number of cases. Late last month, Jacksonville ordered residents to wear masks inside stores and in public places to prevent the spread of the virus.
The official business of the convention is still expected to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the convention was originally scheduled before Trump moved it because North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) insisted that the Republican plan to a reduced convention with fewer people, Masks and social distancing. The convention generally attracts thousands of people.
In June, the Republican National Committee announced that the main events to celebrate the convention would take place in Jacksonville in late August. That includes Trump’s speech in which he will formally accept the 2020 Republican President’s nomination.
Naomi Jagoda, Brett Samuels and Jonathan Easley contributed reporting.
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