Obama cuts big birthday party amid Covid worries

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The former president’s birthday party was previously required to be held outdoors and follow all public health protocols from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with testing for guests and a safety coordinator Covid on site, a source told CNN earlier this week.

More than 400 guests, including celebrities and former Obama administration officials, were expected to attend the affair, along with nearly 200 employees working for the party.

But now, the celebration of Obama, who turns 60 on Wednesday, will only be reserved for family and close friends.

“This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with covid safeguards in place,” Obama spokeswoman Hannah Hankins said in a statement Wednesday to CNN. “Due to the new spread of the Delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs. Obama have decided to drastically reduce the event to include only family and close friends.”

Hankins added that “President Obama appreciates that others send their birthday greetings from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon.”

The New York Times, which first reported that Obama cut the huge guest list for his party on Wednesday, noted that many guests were already on their way to the island of Massachusetts.
Martha’s Vineyard in Dukes County is currently designated by the CDC as an area of ​​”moderate” community spread of Covid-19, and Massachusetts has a high vaccination rate. In line with updated CDC guidelines, Martha’s Vineyard Health Boards issued an interior mask advisory late last month.

Despite criticism from some conservatives, Obama had appeared to move forward with his plan to welcome guests to his 29-acre estate on the island.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who had worked in the Obama administration, defended the former president’s party on Monday, insisting during a press briefing that his team had put in place many security protocols for the event.

Noting that Obama “has been a strong advocate for vaccinating individuals,” Psaki said: “What the CDC has provided advice on is for indoor environments and higher substantial elevated areas of Covid cases . This event… is outdoors and in a moderate. Area. “

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, told reporters on Tuesday that an event like this was “not a good idea,” and that if he had been invited to Obama’s birthday party, he would have refused.

CNN’s Allie Malloy, Nikki Carvajal and Devan Cole contributed to this report.

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