House leaders create safety measures for voting protocol News
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House leaders create safety measures for voting protocol

US House leaders and the Office of Attending Physician (OAP) on Wednesday announced safety protocols for votes on Thursday.

The memo urged House members to use extreme care and deliberation when making the determination to travel to Washington, DC, and recommended teleworking for all Congressional offices. In all cases, members and staff must maintain six-foot social distance spacing as much as practicable when in the offices or the Capitol and are advised to wear face coverings “when it may not be possible to maintain the minimum 6-foot separation distance.”

Voting will be completed alphabetically in groups of approximately 60 members over an extended period, after which Members are being asked to exit the chamber immediately.

The protocols were sent out by Paul Irving, the sergeant at arms, and Brian Monahan, the Capitol’s attending physician to minimize the risks posed by placing too many Members on the House Floor at the same time.

For more on COVID-19, see our special coverage.

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