The White House briefing room is much smaller than it looks on TV.
Reporters are crammed into assigned seats, seven per row for seven rows, or 49 people. But reporters without seats line the aisles on both sides and photographers jockeying for pictures make the room one big germfest.
On Monday, the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA), which sets the seating chart in the room, released a rearranged seating chart to increase “social distancing,” meaning quite a few reporters are now without the seats they once held. Under the new setup, only every other seat is to be occupied.
And those not on the seating chart are out, the White House said in an email to reporters.
“Members of the press who do not have a seat on the updated seating chart or who do not participate in the President’s In-House Pool will not be permitted access to the White House Complex,” said an email from White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham. She added that the changes are “effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and continuing until further notice.”
The WHCA issued new policies late Sunday in an effort to follow guidelines set out by doctors to stem the spread of the coronavirus. And the association urged reporters to work remotely if possible and limit the number of journalists at the White House to the bare minimum.
“Our new normal: This is the White House briefing room where @VP, @realDonaldTrump, and officials give us the latest on #CoronavirusOutbreak. Only every other seat can be occupied starting today, per @whca. #SocialDistancing,” wrote CBS reporter Weijia Jiang.
Our new normal: This is the White House briefing room where @VP, @realDonaldTrump, and officials give us the latest on #CoronavirusOutbreak. Only every other seat can be occupied starting today, per @whca. #SocialDistancing pic.twitter.com/eE22srno4N
— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) March 16, 2020
The orange signs read: “To ensure proper social distancing, this seat is to remain unoccupied for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak.”
Jiang also posted another picture that shows who sits where under the new plan.
The view from the podium. pic.twitter.com/OC7oVXtwO3
— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) March 16, 2020
The WHCA is discouraging those without a seat from attending White House briefings.
“We understand these restrictions are deeply disruptive to our members and their ability to do their jobs,” WHCA President Jonathan Karl of ABC News said in a statement, The Hill reported. “But we are forced to take these steps to do our part to ensure that there is a healthy pool available to cover the president and inform the public during this critical time.”
Here’s the new seating arrangement, according to a tweet by Katherine Faulders of ABC News.
Temporary seating chart in the White House briefing room to accommodate social distancing guidelines pic.twitter.com/MFTIzXScv2
— Katherine Faulders (@KFaulders) March 16, 2020
That leaves just five “conservative” outlets in the briefing room at any given time — Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times (which will share a seat with The New York Post), and One America Network (which will share a seat with Newsmax). Fox Business News will also share a seat with CNBC.
“Now, more than ever, America needs a healthy, fair, and accurate press to deliver the news,” Grisham wrote in her email. ” We again urge members of the press to direct the American people to Coronavirus.gov for the most up-to-date and factual information available. When possible, members of the press seeking information are encouraged to call or email press staff as opposed to physically entering the Lower or Upper Press Offices. Thank you for understanding that necessary and temporary precautions must be made during this unprecedented situation for your safety and for the safety of our great Nation.”
The White House on Saturday began taking the temperature of people “in close contact” with President Trump or Vice President Pence, including reporters who are attending briefings on the coronavirus.
“Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the President and Vice President,” Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said in a statement. “In order to keep the entire White House complex safe and healthy, beginning Monday morning, temperature checks will be conducted on everyone who enters campus. As was announced over the weekend, additional temperature checks will be conducted on individuals who are in close contact with the president and vice president throughout the day.”
“Other precautionary steps the White House is taking: pausing its internship and volunteer programs, canceling public tours and canceling large events through the end of March. The White House also has closed its Navy Mess Dining Room, where many staffers get daily meals,” the Associated Press reported.