Local

North Carolina to relax 10-person limit for GOP convention

CHARLOTTE — North Carolina public health officials told the Republican National Committee that the party can have more than 10 people in a room to conduct official convention business while in Charlotte.

[‘Devastating news’: Main event for RNC moved from Charlotte to Florida]

The updated guidance eases indoor gathering limits Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper imposed in a recently extended executive order.

[RNC releases health protocols for delegates while in Charlotte]

President Donald Trump said he will deliver his nomination acceptance speech for the Charlotte convention but hasn’t committed to speaking to a crowd of people in person. Cooper previously denied Trump’s request to have a full-scale maskless convention in Charlotte.

The RNC has estimated it would have no more than 500 delegates per day at the Charlotte Convention Center and the Westin hotel.

The state health director now said she recognizes that more than 10 people will need to gather to conduct convention business. She told the RNC it could have 12 people per 1,000-square feet of space.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the pandemic -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

The Charlotte Convention Center has about 280,000-square feet.

On Monday, the RNC released its health and safety plan for the convention. Officials said all of the delegates will get tested before they come to Charlotte.

Everyone will be screened daily while in the area and they will have to wear masks and social distance.