The White House Plans A Party When US Citizens Are Asked To Stay Home

Gedung Putih di Washington, AS (Jacob Morch / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The White House plans to host an indoor holiday reception over the coming weeks. The plan was carried out when the authorities asked all US citizens to stay at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic which was still rampant.

Public health experts urge Americans to sacrifice their normal holiday gatherings to keep the virus from spreading. US officials also warned of a large gathering over the Thanksgiving holiday, Thursday, November 24.

US officials have also urged US citizens to stay home and forget about traveling to see relatives in an effort to protect vulnerable individuals when cases hit 12 million over the weekend.

Meanwhile the White House said President Donald Trump and his wife Melania will remain in Washington this week, skipping their annual Thanksgiving celebrations at Trump's private club in Florida.

Melania plans to hold a holiday reception a few days later on November 30, according to an invitation obtained by ABC News.

It follows a series of White House events in recent months that have been linked to multiple outbreaks, including Trump's own battle with the disease from late September to early October. A White House aide and four others have tested positive in recent days.

Stephanie Grisham, spokeswoman for Melania said the White House would provide the "safest environment" for Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations with a smaller guest list than in previous years.

He also stressed that masks were "necessary and available." The spokesman even said the event would emphasize social distancing and hand sanitizer being provided at various angles. "Guests will enjoy a meal individually served by a chef at a plexiglass-protected food stall. All beverages served will be closed," he said in a statement.

"Attending a party would be a very personal choice. It's an old tradition for people to visit and enjoy the cheer and iconic decorations of the annual White House Christmas celebration."

Health professionals have advised against holding large indoor gatherings. "We want everyone to understand that this holiday party can be an event that can spread the virus," General Surgeon Jerome Adams told ABC News in an interview on Monday.

He urged celebrations to be held outdoors with as few people as possible and pointed to the recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "This applies to the White House, it applies to the American people, it applies to everyone," said Adams.

Still, it seems that many Americans are heeding that advice. While the number of US travelers using air transport is still down about 60 percent from a year ago, federal transportation officials on Monday reported screening of the highest passenger numbers since March.