North Carolina presses GOP on safety standards for convention

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Officials in North Carolina have again pressed Republicans on how they intend to carry out their national convention this summer while observing safety guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

In the latest back-and-forth over the convention, which is currently slated to take place in Charlotte from Aug. 24-27, North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen sent a letter asking top GOP officials for more information on how they intend to conduct the confab.

The letter mainly focused on how the party will enforce social distancing protocols, how it intends to test the tens of thousands of expected attendees and any precautions that will be implemented for asymptomatic people.

Cohen also referenced a phone call with Gov. Roy Cooper (D) and convention president and CEO Marcia Lee Kelly during which Kelly conveyed President Trump’s desire to hold the nomination portion of the event in “a crowd-like setting” that would not have any requirements for attendees to wear masks. 

“The State continues to support the hosting of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte if it can be done safely,” Cohen wrote to Kelly and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. “We remain committed to working with you on an event that adequately protects both attendees and the people of North Carolina.”