The Commission on Presidental Debates has told the Trump and Biden campaigns that all guests at upcoming debates must be tested for the coronavirus and wear masks or they would be removed from the hall, according to people familiar with the situation.
The commission is also urging the candidates to display better decorum, two people familiar with the matter said. In the first presidential debate on Sept. 29, President Donald Trump incessantly interrupted and talked over Biden.
Trump and his wife Melania, who have both been diagnosed with COVID-19, and other family members entered the hall for the debate in Cleveland wearing masks, but removed them once seated. An employee of the Cleveland Clinic, which hosted the debate, offered them masks but they refused.
Both campaigns have since been told that attendees of the events were to be tested and wear masks and that anyone who refuses would be removed from the hall. The commission didn’t immediately respond to a call seeking comment.
Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate, are scheduled to debate in Salt Lake City on Wednesday. The commission plans to seat the candidates 12 feet (3.7 meters) apart, rather than 7 feet, as initially planned, people familiar with the development said Friday.
The next debate between Trump and Biden, a town hall, is scheduled for Oct. 15 but it’s unclear whether that will happen given Trump’s health.
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