This archive report was first published on 12 June 2020.
On June 10, 2020, President Donald Trump's campaign announced plans for his first campaign rally since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the country to shut down. The rally is set to take place on July 19 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Attendees of the rally must agree not to sue the campaign if they contract coronavirus. By registering for the event, they must acknowledge the 'inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.'
According to the disclaimer, attendees 'voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Donald J. Trump for President, Inc.; BOK Center; ASM Global; or any of their affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers liable for any illness or injury.'
Law professor Catherine Sharkey from New York University School of Law notes that waivers like the Trump campaign's are likely to become a regular part of American life as the country reopens. However, she emphasizes that these waivers offer only limited protection against liability.
‘They only give limited protections, so they never would protect against, for example, gross negligence or recklessness,’ said Sharkey.
Sharkey also suggests that holding a large public gathering without proper social distancing measures in place could be considered grossly negligent.
