Joe Biden

Democratic National Convention to Require Masks, Distancing

Once at the convention, attendees must fill out a daily questionnaire

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden arrives to speak about economic recovery during a campaign event at Colonial Early Education Program at the Colwyck Center on July 21, 2020 in New Castle, Delaware.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Everyone attending the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee next month will have to wear a face mask, consent to daily testing for COVID-19, fill out questionnaires and maintain a physical distance from others.

Organizers of the convention released details of the coronavirus safety plan Monday, three weeks before the Aug. 17 start of the four-day event. The convention has been scaled down from original plans and now will be mostly online with only a few hundred people gathered at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee.

Attendees will have to self-isolated for a minimum of 72 hours before departing for Milwaukee or when first entering the convention's main venue if they're already in the city. Once at the convention, attendees must fill out a daily questionnaire indicating that they are not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and have not had contact with anyone who is infected.

All convention guests, law enforcement, media, and staff must agree to daily COVID-19 testing, either at the Wisconsin Center or another offsite location. They must also agree to follow any other "reasonable restrictions that convention organizers may impose based on changing health conditions."

At a campaign event on Wednesday, former vice president Joe Biden announced the third pillar of his 'Build Back Better' economic recovery plan which would focus on creating 3 million new caregiver jobs and incentivize companies to provide childcare for employees.

While presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and everyone else will be required to wear a mask once inside, anyone making a speech will be allowed to remove theirs. The podium will be 20 feet from other people. Organizers are also encouraging attendees to wear a face shield or goggles to protect their eyes.

Organizers are also recommending that attendees "avoid bars, restaurants, and other locations where social distancing is not possible or not practiced."

"Ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved with the convention is our top priority," said convention spokeswoman Katie Peters. "After consultation with public health officials, the Democratic National Convention Committee will implement robust health and safety protocols that will govern the convention’s in-person activities and keep attendees safe before and during the convention."

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, a Democrat, called the safety protocols "thoughtful and thorough."

How Coronavirus Has Grown in Each State — in 1 Chart

This chart shows the cumulative number of cases per state by number of days since the 50th case.

Source: The COVID Tracking Project
Credit: Amy O’Kruk/NBC

"While it is important to protect every person attending the convention, it is also important to protect the entire Milwaukee community," Barrett said. "These protocols establish reasonable requirements in order to prevent additional COVID-19 infections in Milwaukee."

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have spiked in Wisconsin since mid-June, with roughly a third of the state's 49,417 cases in Milwaukee County and nearly half of the state's 893 deaths there. A city ordinance requires masks to be worn when in a building that is open to the public or outside in a public space and within 6 feet of any other person who is not a household or family member.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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