Republicans limit convention attendance over coronavirus fears, shifting some events outside

President previously demanded convention with no masks or distancing and main event was moved to Florida from North Carolina

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is sharply restricting attendance on three of the four nights of its convention in Jacksonville, Florida.

The committee is looking at ways to make sure the August event can go ahead despite the surge in coronavirus cases in the state.

RNC chair Ronna McDaniel said in a letter to RNC members that only the approximately 2,500 regular delegates would be permitted to attend the opening three nights of the August's Republican Convention.

Delegates, their guests and alternate delegates would be permitted to attend the final night, 27 August, when President Donald Trump is set to deliver his nomination acceptance speech.

The convention was moved to Florida after officials in Charlotte, North Carolina, ruled out the full-capacity crowd that the president wanted due to the ongoing pandemic.

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

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

In recent weeks, Florida has seen the number of new cases of Covid-19 break records, and the number of deaths is now beginning to climb in line with the lag between the two numbers seen in other states.

Jacksonville has instituted a face-covering mandate and the state is limiting gatherings to 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity.

The RNC is still working to determine a programming lineup for the event, with Ms McDaniel saying that the convention was planning to use both indoor and outdoor spaces.

GOP officials familiar with the planning said the marquee evening program, including Mr Trump’s speech, is expected to take place outdoors to accommodate the largest crowd possible.

There will be on-site temperature checks, face-coverings will be provided, and Covid-19 testing will be available for attendees.

Ms McDaniel said in her letter: “We can gather and put on a top-notch event that celebrates the incredible accomplishments of President Trump’s administration and his re-nomination for a second term — while also doing so in a safe and responsible manner.”

Florida has recorded more than 300,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19, and 4,520 deaths as of Wednesday.

The Democratic National Committee has already downsized its convention's venue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

While Joe Biden will attend to accept the nomination, a news release states that the four-day event will "include both live broadcasts and curated content from Milwaukee and other satellite cities, locations and landmarks across the country”.

With reporting from the Associated Press