BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Reuters)-On Dec. 4, local time, US President-elect Biden said that in view of the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, the scale of the presidential inauguration in January 2021 may be reduced or held online. Focusing on the slowdown in the recovery of the US job market, Biden urged immediate action and pointed out that a new round of bail-out plan is under discussion.
Data Map: US President-elect Biden. China News Service reporter Chen Mengtong photo
How to hold the inauguration ceremony of the president of the United States in 2021?
Biden revealed these details.
Biden said on the 4th that the scale of the presidential inauguration in January 2021 may be reduced, or it may be held in an online virtual form like the Democratic National Congress in early 2020.
"It is very unlikely that a million people will gather in national mall to visit the Lincoln Memorial." Biden pointed out, "I think, compared with the usual inauguration ceremony, you will see a form more like the Democratic National Convention."
Biden is scheduled to be sworn in as the next president on January 20, 2021, just a few weeks before the holiday season. Public health officials warned that unless people wear masks, keep social distance and stay at home, partying during holidays may lead to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. Biden has also warned that the epidemic will become more serious in the coming winter.
According to reports, Biden said that in addition to following the public health guidelines prepared for the inauguration ceremony, his team has been discussing the plan with the leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate. He said: "My primary goal is to ensure the safety of the United States, but still allow people to celebrate."
Biden predicted that there would be no large-scale parade along Pennsylvania Avenue on the inauguration day, but added that he could not give a clear description of the whole event now. "But my guess is that in American states, you will see many virtual activities and attract more people to participate." He said.
Data Map: On December 1st, local time, the "drive-through" Covid-19 testing station set up in Alemany Farmers’ Market in San Francisco, California, USA provided testing services to the public. China News Service reporter Liu Guanguan photo
The recovery of American job market slows down.
Biden urges aid.
On the same day, Biden also pointed out that the American people are facing a "grim" employment prospect, and with the surge of Covid-19 cases, they need to provide immediate assistance to help the people tide over the difficulties.
According to the November employment report released by the United States, the recovery of the US job market is slowing down. Biden said at the briefing: "If we don’t act now, the future will be very bleak. The American people need help and need it now. "
He said that the $908 billion bail-out plan jointly proposed by the two parties is being discussed in Congress, which is a good start, but more aid will be needed in 2021.
According to the report, with the severe epidemic situation in the United States, the economic and employment recovery has been hindered. According to the latest data, 245,000 new jobs were created in the non-agricultural sector in the United States in November, the unemployment rate dropped slightly to 6.7%, and the recovery slowed down significantly.