North Charlotte Today

With the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, scheduled activities have been postponed or canceled. The Republican National Convention, scheduled to begin in Charlotte on Aug. 24, is expected to draw approximately 50,000 to the area, according to Tribune News Service.

Though the convention is still on, could it be canceled due to COVID-19?

So far, COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the global financial markets, travel bans have been implemented, sporting events have been canceled or postponed and curfews have been put in place. Hospitals in other countries have been inundated with cases. The every-day life of Americans, and those around the world, has changed dramatically and continues to change daily.

The organizers of the GOP convention indicated they are monitoring the situation.

"The convention team is closely monitoring and coordinating with key stakeholders across the administration ... and (federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to obtain regular updates," convention spokeswoman Tatum Gibson told the Tribune News Service recently. "We prioritize the health and safety of attendees and have the utmost confidence in the administration's work and preparations."

The Republican organizers have given no indication they are ready to cancel the event yet, nor has the Democratic Party for their convention, scheduled to start on July 13.

Democratic Convention CEO Joe Solmonese told the Tribune News Services the group is in contact with authorities on all levels regarding the convention.

"Every convention necessitates developing a number of contingency plans to provide for a variety of scenarios," Democratic convention CEO Joe Solmonese said in a statement. "(T)he convention team will remain in constant communication with the local, state, and federal authorities responsible for protecting public health and security."

Both parties are keeping their eye on the situation to ensure the public health of attendees as developments on the pandemic continually are changing.