The debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic VP nominee Kamala Harris is still on for Wednesday.
The Washington Times reported that a spokesman for the University of Utah, which is hosting the debate in Salt Lake City, said Friday anybody who requests access to the security perimeter and those in the debate hall must test negative for the coronavirus and wear a mask at all times.
Pence and Harris both tested negative for the virus Friday.
There will be exceptions for the mask mandate during the Wednesday debate for Pence, Harris, and moderator Susan Page, the news outlet reported.
“Our policy is that everyone must wear a mask,” Shawn Wood, the University of Utah spokesman, told the Washington Times.
The Cleveland Clinic, the health adviser for the Commission on Presidential Debates, said in a statement everyone inside the debate hall Tuesday had tested negative for COVID-19 prior to entry, and that they believe there was a low risk of exposure for the guests.
“Individuals entering the debate hall were masked and in some cases removed their masks once seated,” the medical center also said, according to the Times.
“A Cleveland Clinic physician did offer audience members masks, but some did not adhere to the requirement.”
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