CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ North Carolina's state health director told Republican convention officials Friday that the state could "flexibly enforce" its crowd restrictions to accommodate several hundred delegates at the Charlotte event this month.
The decision all but clears the way for the GOP to have more than 300 delegates renominate President Donald Trump at the Charlotte Convention Center on Aug. 24.
"We understand that some events necessary to conduct official convention business may require measures that would not be allowed for a normal event," health director Elizabeth Tilson wrote RNC officials. "Therefore, in the spirit of accommodating the unique interests and needs of the convention, we have expressed a willingness to flexibly enforce certain ... public health measures."
This week Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper extended Phase 2 restrictions until Sept. 11. They limit most indoor gatherings to 10 people.
Tilson was responding to the RNC's 42-page plan detailing its protocols for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
It says face coverings will be "a condition of participation" and seating will be designed to accommodate a 6-foot distance between people. In addition to masking and social distancing, the plan calls for daily "symptom tracking" of delegates and other guests. It also lays out detailed contingency plans should somebody come down with the disease.
In her response, the state health director asked for clarification on some of the RNC proposals, including how the mask requirement would be enforced.
"We appreciate their timely feedback and will be providing additional details and commitments to Dr. Tilson," a convention spokesperson said Friday.
The convention will bring around 500 people in town, including 336 delegates. The delegates would renominate Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in Charlotte. The rest of the four-day convention would take place elsewhere, including virtually.
The state's willingness to accommodate the convention is not a surprise.
In an interview with The Associated Press Thursday, Cooper criticized his Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, for holding large campaign gatherings with no masks or social distancing. The AP cited a Facebook post of Forest holding such a gathering last month in Iredell County.
The AP asked Cooper how and whether he'd enforce the statewide mask mandate against his opponent. Cooper said he didn't want to violate people's First Amendment free speech rights but expected the public to pressure candidates to adhere to safety protocols.
First Amendment protections are also a factor in dealing with the GOP convention, an official familiar with the state's response to the RNC told the Observer.
Delegates would stay across the street from the convention center at the Westin Hotel.
The security perimeter would be around the convention center.
