Strict COVID-19 precautions will be in place for Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner at the Washington Hilton, but they don’t extend to the hospitality staff set to work the event, according to Axios.
About 2,600 people are expected at the dinner. The guests must show proof of vaccination and a negative same-day test, according to the news outlet.
However, Benjy Cannon, communications director for Unite Here Local 25, the union representing the Hilton’s hospitality workers, said its members haven’t been approached by the hotel about vaccination requirements or testing for those scheduled to work.
The union, which has pushed for workers to get vaccinated, said it could “bargain over the issue.”
Axios reported that the correspondents’ association had been assured that the Hilton would mandate its staff to wear masks at the dinner.
A hotel spokesperson declined to answer questions about the vaccination status of the workers.
“Throughout the pandemic, Washington Hilton has hosted a number of large-scale events with COVID-19 protocols in place, including offering our team members the flexibility to choose if they work in large group settings, based on their comfort level," the spokesperson told Axios.
Dr. Anthony Fauci canceled plans to attend the dinner after assessing his risk for contracting the coronavirus, CNN said.
The decision by the nation’s top infectious disease doctor was made amid concerns that the dinner could become a superspreader event, much like the annual Gridiron dinner held weeks ago.
Fauci's decision came as fears of the omicron subvariant touched off new concerns about the virus. Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for the coronavirus this week.
The White House announced on Wednesday that President Joe Biden would take added precautions while attending the event, including skipping the dining portion of the event, The Hill reported.
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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