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(CNN) — The mayor of the city of Washington said on Wednesday that she informed the Department of the Interior that the celebration scheduled for July 4 of the administration Trump in Washington goes against the guidance of health officials amid the pandemic of coronavirus.
“We know that this is a special event for the Department of the Interior. We would like to inform you that we do not believe this is consistent with the guidance (from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the (Washington) Department of Health, but this event will take place entirely on federal property. ” Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters during a press conference.
Earlier Wednesday, the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service announced additional details about the President’s Independence Day celebration on the National Mall, which includes a 35-minute fireworks display and military aircraft flyby. The event will be broadcast Live.
Bowser has repeatedly encouraged Washington residents to celebrate July 4 at home this year to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. The mayor has already ruled out the Independence Day parade in the nation’s capital.
During an April press conference with the White House coronavirus task force, President Donald Trump He said his July 4 celebration would continue as planned, but that it could be reduced to a quarter of what it was and could include measures of social distancing.
Last month, the White House announced that President and First Lady Melania Trump would host the “Salute to U.S“From 2020 in the south garden of the White House and the adjacent 21-hectare Ellipse, concluding” with a spectacular fireworks display over the National Mall. “
“In addition to music, military demonstrations and flybys to honor service members and veterans of our nation, the President will deliver remarks that celebrate our independence and salute our incredible heritage, “the White House said in a statement.
The Interior Department also encouraged those planning to watch fireworks on Wednesday to practice social distancing, wear a face mask, avoid shaking hands, wash their hands frequently, and avoid attending if they show symptoms.
The department said it will provide more than 300,000 fabric facial liners to attendees and that more than 100 hand-washing stations will be located around the National Mall, though how or if social distancing will be applied remains unclear.
Trump has held out the intention of holding the celebration this year despite opposition from Democrats and local lawmakers. Democrats in Congress in May expressed concern that the “Salute to the United States” “would unnecessarily risk the health and safety of thousands of Americans” and the “cost of millions of taxpayers’ dollars as we face an economic recession without precedents due to the pandemic. “
Trump and the First Lady will also travel to Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota on Friday for a celebration on early July 4 with fireworks and flybys. Social distancing will not apply at that event, although skins will be provided.
CNN’s Caroline Kelly, Ross Levitt and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
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