New Hampshire Republican Gov. Chris Sununu said he’s not planning on attending President Trump’s rally in Manchester this week amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump is set to speak from Manchester’s PeriCohas Hangar on Friday, in his first rally following this week’s Republican National Convention.
Sununu said Tuesday he will greet the president, but he doesn’t plan on going to the rally.
“My guess is it’s going to be a lot of people, and when I can, I try to avoid large crowds to be honest,” Sununu said during a Tuesday press conference.
Trump had scheduled a rally in the Granite State earlier this summer, but that Portsmouth rally was canceled because of weather, his campaign said. Coronavirus concerns also hovered around that event after a previous rally in Oklahoma reportedly sparked an outbreak.
Now Trump is coming to Manchester’s PeriCohas Hangar, where all rally attendees will be required to wear masks, in accordance with New Hampshire’s emergency order.
“It was made clear to them and they completely understood it,” Sununu said of the mask order for events with more than 100 people. “And I think they’ve been very good about trying to promote that message, making sure that people are safe.”
“The first thing they said when they announced the event was masks are required, so hopefully the individuals will abide by that,” the governor later added.
The campaign will have masks available for anyone who does not bring their own, according to organizers.
“I think they’re doing what they need to do to make sure it’s a successful event from a health and safety standpoint,” Sununu said.
The event registration has a coronavirus clause: “By registering for this event, you understand and expressly acknowledge that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. In attending the event, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19, and waive, release, and discharge Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; Peri Cohas Hangar; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers from any and all liability under any theory, whether in negligence or otherwise, for any illness or injury.”