The RNC outlined a number of safety protocols it said it would invoke during the convention in Charlotte, an apparent response to the Democratic governor’s request for a safety plan.
The Republican National Committee set a June 3 deadline for North Carolina officials to approve their planned in-person political convention in August, despite continuing uncertainty over the spread of the novel coronavirus that has upended the presidential campaign.
In a letter sent Thursday evening to Gov. Roy Cooper, the RNC outlined a number of safety protocols it said it would invoke during the convention in Charlotte, an apparent response to the Democratic governor’s request for a safety plan. The deadline was roughly the same set by President Donald Trump in remarks Tuesday.
The letter did not address some basic safety concerns, omitting, for example, whether attendees would be required to wear masks or take a coronavirus test before entering the Spectrum Arena where the convention would be held. Federal health authorities have strongly recommended the use of masks for any gatherings in which attendees cannot properly distance themselves – which would be the case in a convention drawing thousands of delegates and others.
Trump has been determined, Republicans in contact with him say, to hold a large-scale convention without an audience filled with masked people.
The party said it envisions safety protocols including pre-travel health surveys throughlocal health-care providers, daily health-care questionnaires, temperature checks of “all mandatory attendees prior to boarding sanitized, prearranged transportation,” antibacterial gel, “aggressive sanitizing” and food service guidelines for every restaurant.
“We still do not have solid guidelines from the State and cannot in good faith, ask thousands of visitors to begin paying deposits and making travel plans without knowing the full commitment of the Governor, elected officials and other stakeholders in supporting the Convention,” said the letter, signed by RNC chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.
