How COVID-19 pandemic has changed Joe Biden, Kamala Harris inauguration

The
world will witness US President-elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s swearing-in ceremony on January
20 and just like the ‘virus-plagued’ election process they had gone through, their inauguration
is inevitably going to be an unprecedented one due to the largely transformed and scaled down inaugural celebrations and traditions long associated with it.

The newly elected office bearers will assume control of the White house outside the US Capitol building. Their transition teams have been constantly urging Americans to refrain from physically attending the ceremony. Here are some notable changes that will mark the pandemic-ridden investiture of 46th President of the United States.

Inaugural parade to be replaced with a short walk to the White House

According
to the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Joe Biden will receive a shortened
military escort to the White House instead of the grand inaugural parade
that extends from the US Capitol.

While a ‘pass in review’ ceremony, a traditional part of the peaceful transfer of power, will take place, the usual parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House will be taken over by a ‘virtual parade’, which will be televised and feature diverse, dynamic performances in communities across the country.

Also Read: George W Bush will attend US President-elect Biden’s inauguration: Spokesman

No tickets for common public 

According
to the Washington Post, only 1,000 tickets for Biden’s oath ceremony would be
made available this time instead of the usual 2,00,000 tickets to curb large gatherings in the view of surging COVID-19 infections.

Notably,
these thousand tickets will not be up for grabs for the common public but would
only be distributed to each of the 535 members of Congress, who can be
accompanied by one guest each.

However, commemorative tickets will be available for constituents after inauguration day.

Congressional luncheon has been called off

The
post-inauguration luncheon, which marks the formal reception of the new
President and Vice-President by all the Congress members, has also been
cancelled following COVID protocols.

Memorial service for COVID-19 victims

The inaugural committee confirmed that a memorial service will be held on January 19 at 5:30 pm ET to commemorate those who lost their lives to COVID-19.

The ritual will see a lighting ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The committee is also said to be inviting cities and towns around the country to light buildings and ring church bells at the same time, according to the Washington Post.