CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today the Committee on Arrangements (COA) for the 2020 Republican National Convention announced it submitted a comprehensive health and safety plan on Monday, August 3, to North Carolina state officials. This plan was written with the state’s current restrictions and protocols in mind and would be in effect for the RNC Business meeting August 21 – 23 and the convention business taking place on August 24.
In response to the current national emergency posed by COVID-19, the COA brought in Jeffrey Runge, M.D., as a Senior Advisor for Health and Safety Planning. Dr. Runge formed an internal Safety and Health Working Group (SHWG) to develop a comprehensive safety and health plan. This working group integrated with local health officials, health care systems and emergency management, as well as state and federal government entities and the private sector to develop a robust plan to mitigate risk and promote the health and safety of participants and the community.
The plan is based on evolving scientific evidence and local capabilities, as well as guidance issued by the Presidential Coronavirus Task Force, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
“Our top priority continues to be the safety and health of all attendees, participating vendors, staff and the Charlotte community,” said Max Everett, Vice President and CIO. “We were extremely thorough in our planning and grateful for our local partners, including Atrium Health, Novant Health, city and county officials and other stakeholders who are working to ensure that the official convention business conducted here in the Queen City is a healthy and safe experience for all.”
Conducting the official business of the 2020 Republican National Convention, six delegates from each State and Territory are planning to attend, for a total of 336 delegates. These delegates, as well as vendors and staff, will follow this health and safety plan. Key components of the plan include:
Robust training of all delegates and integrated communications planning to ensure all delegates are educated, informed and ready to participate
Pre-travel COVID-19 testing of all participants prior to arrival in Charlotte
Daily symptom tracking and temperature checks for all delegates
Social distancing in all venues
Masks will be worn and PPE will be provided to participants in accordance with local and state regulations
On-site health professionals for medical response
Integration with local health systems, delivering on-site and telemedicine consults in addition to testing capabilities as needed
This comprehensive health plan was designed to meet safety and health directives dictated by federal, state and local public health authorities. It ensures the health and safety process starts before delegates arrive in Charlotte, and it will continue after they return to their home states
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