Senate announces partial shutdown of activities to prevent coronavirus spread
Here's a possible news article:
SENATE ANNOUNCES PARTIAL SHUTDOWN OF ACTIVITIES TO PREVENT CORONAVIRUS SPREAD
Washington D.C. - In a move to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the United States Senate announced today that it will be partially shutting down its activities for the next two weeks.
The decision was made after a meeting of the Senate leadership, where they discussed the growing concerns about the virus and its potential impact on the country. The Senate will continue to conduct essential business, such as voting on legislation and conducting committee hearings, but many non-essential activities will be suspended.
"We understand the importance of taking proactive measures to protect the health and safety of our staff, members, and the American people," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). "While we will continue to conduct the people's business, we must also prioritize the well-being of our community and take steps to prevent the spread of this virus."
The partial shutdown will affect many Senate activities, including:
- Committee hearings: All non-essential committee hearings will be postponed until further notice.
- Floor proceedings: The Senate will not hold any non-essential floor votes or debates during the shutdown period.
- Staff meetings: Many staff meetings and events will be cancelled or postponed.
- Visitor access: The Senate will limit access to the Capitol Building and other Senate facilities to essential personnel only.
The Senate will continue to monitor the situation and will reassess the need for further measures as necessary. In the meantime, the Senate will work with the House of Representatives and the White House to ensure that the government continues to function effectively.
"We will continue to work together to address the challenges posed by this virus and to protect the American people," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). "We will do everything in our power to ensure that our government remains functional and effective, even in the face of this unprecedented crisis."
The partial shutdown is effective immediately and will remain in place for at least two weeks.