Speaker Heastie Statement on Updated Guidance and Capacity Limits in the Assembly Chamber

Effective immediately, and consistent with updated guidance, capacity limits in the Assembly Chamber have been eliminated. In order to ensure everyone’s safety, members, employees and visitors will continue to be required to wear face masks in all Assembly workplaces, including the Assembly Chamber during legislative session, and to observe social distancing guidelines whenever possible. These requirements are being implemented per Rule I of the Assembly, which allows the speaker to control the use of the Assembly Chamber, lobbies, rooms and property and to preserve order and decorum in the chamber. The Assembly will continue to operate under existing rules, and remote session will still be available to all members. We have made great progress in combating this pandemic, and we will continue to evaluate our policies as we move forward with the goal of fully reopening when safe and appropriate.