GOP restricts convention attendance over coronavirus fears

  Republican National Committee is sharply restricting attendance on three of four nights of its convention in Jacksonville, Florida, next month, as it looks for ways to move forward with event while coronavirus cases are spiking in state .

RNC chair Ronna McDaniel said in a letter to RNC members that only roughly 2,500 regular delegates to convention would be permitted to attend opening three nights of convention. Delegates, ir guests and alternate delegates would be permitted to attend final night, Aug. 27, when President Donald Trump is set to deliver his acceptance speech.

move comes after GOP was forced to move most of convention from Charlotte, rth Carolina, after local officials ruled out a full-capacity crowd amid pandemic.

“When we made se changes, we had hoped to be able to plan a traditional convention celebration to which we are all accustomed," McDaniel said. “However, adjustments must be made to comply with state and local health guidelines.”

In recent weeks, Florida has seen significant increases in confirmed cases, with Jacksonville instituting a face-covering mandate and state limiting garings to 50% of a venue's capacity.

RNC was still working to determine a programming lineup for event. McDaniel said convention was planning to use both indoor and outdoor s. GOP officials familiar with planning said marquee evening program, including Trump's speech, were expected to take place outdoors to accommodate largest crowd possible.

GOP will be providing on-site temperature checks and face-coverings, and will have COVID-19 testing available for attendees.

“We can gar and put on a top-tch event that celebrates incredible accomplishments of President Trump’s administration and his re-mination for a second term — while also doing so in a safe and responsible manner,” McDaniel wrote.

formal business of reminating Trump will still take place in Charlotte, but with a far smaller group of delegates casting proxy votes.