No 'Gigantic' Inaugural Parade, Joe Biden Plans To Have 'Safe' Swearing-In Ceremony Amid Covid-19 Crisis

Joe Biden may have a platform swearing-in ceremony outside the US Capitol, however, the usual crowds that gather to witness the parade will be avoided in the wake of Coronavirus spread.

File Image: AP/PTI Photo

Washington: In the light of Coronavirus spread in the US, President-elect Joe Biden has said his presidential inauguration on January 20 will not be a "gigantic" event. A lot of virtual activity in states all across may be observed engaging even more people than before, he added.  Joe Biden revealed that he will perhaps be sworn in on January 20 on the platform being constructed at the steps of the US Capitol, however, the usual crowds that gather to witness the ceremony and parade will be avoided. "My guess is there probably will not be a gigantic inaugural parade on Pennsylvania Avenue, but my guess is you'll see a lot of virtual activity in states all across America engaging even more people than before. That's in train now and I'm not in a position to give you an example of exactly what it will look like," he said when asked about the inauguration planning. "But, I promise you, it'll be available either virtually or in-person for many and my guess is, there will still be a platform ceremony, but I don't know exactly how it's all going to work out. The key is keeping people safe," he said. The ceremony that usually attracts millions of people may end up looking something on the lines of the virtual convention Democrats held in August, with online activity in the states. "We are in discussion with the House leadership and the Senate leadership as to what they plan for the inauguration, particularly those 200,000 spots they control. But I think you're going to see something that's closer to what the convention was like than typical inauguration," he said. Biden has emphasised that his first and foremost objective at this point is to keep people safe but also allow them to celebrate and see one another celebrating. "So, we're in consultation. My team is in consultation with folks who help us put on the convention, as well as with our colleagues, Republican, and Democratic colleagues, in charge of the inauguration. But, the convention we put on really opened up avenues that we never thought existed and I doubt there will be another at least the Democratic Convention, that it's straight like it always has been,” he said.

Will Donald Trump Attend The Ceremony?

In recent times, US presidents have been sworn in at an outdoor ceremony at the US Capitol attended by their predecessor. However, doubts over Donald Trump's attendance continue to persist as the outgoing US president has refused to concede the election raising doubts over results and mai-in ballots. The Trump Administration's attempts to overturn results in his favour have not yielded any outcome as except for one, all his lawsuits have been rejected by the courts. Meanwhile, the Coronavirus pandemic continues to be a serious threat in America as it has killed more than 273,000 people in the country with cases and hospitalisations surging. (With Agency Inputs) WATCH | India will soon get 'Romeo' helicopter, US company releases picture