New Hampshire governor to greet president but skip Saturday rally
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) announced this week that he will greet President Donald Trump as he arrives in New Hampshire for his rally on Saturday, but that he won’t be attending the event.
“As the governor, I am always going to be there to greet the president and I will be there to do that,” Sununu said. “I will not be in the crowd of thousands of people. As the governor, I try to be extra cautious for myself and the family.”
Trump is hosting his second rally during the national pandemic but unlike his first rally which was indoors in Tulsa, OK, this rally will be held outdoors. The venue will be the tarmac of Pease International Airport in Portsmouth, NH. Public health officials continue to urge Americans to avoid large crowds as the number of coronavirus cases is again on the rise. Sununu also encouraged his citizens not to attend the rally if they are above 60 years of age or have a compromised immune system.
“It’s not the law, but it is a very smart move,” Sununu said. “You don’t need to be in a large gathering where you are at greater risk.”
At least 20 states have paused their reopening plans after seeing surges in coronavirus cases. New Hampshire, on the other hand, continues to see a downward trend in its number of cases. The currently asks out-of-state visitors to self-quarantine for 14 days or take a coronavirus test. Gov. Sununu says that request doesn’t apply to those attending the rally including the president.
“If you are just coming in for an event or going shopping here, then the 14-day quarantine doesn’t apply,” Sununu explained.
The Trump campaign has taken a stronger stance on wearing masks for this event compared to Tulsa. In a statement announcing the event, they said there will be ample access to hand sanitizer and all attendees will be provided a face mask that they “are strongly encouraged to wear.”
Sununu says he will be wearing a mask when he greets the president and is pleased to hear that the campaign will be handing out masks to attendees. He says it’s very important that those in attendance wear the masks since social distancing will be hard in the large crowd.
The state is only advising that attendees wear masks not requiring it.
Sununu is up for reelection this year in the swing-state and is hoping for a third term. He has been a big supporter of the Trump administration.
Scroll down to comment!
