This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
July 3, 2020 - Vice President Mike Pence's trip to Arizona was postponed due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
The decision was made after multiple Secret Service agents scheduled to travel with Pence tested positive for the virus or showed symptoms, according to two administration officials.
Initially, Pence was set to visit Arizona on Tuesday, but the trip was canceled due to a surge in new cases in the state, which has overwhelmed testing centers.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, a Republican, had ordered bars, gyms, and movie theaters closed in response to the outbreak.
Instead of visiting Tucson and Yuma, Pence opted for a shorter visit to Phoenix on Wednesday, where he participated in a public health briefing at Sky Harbor International Airport.
At the briefing, Pence said, 'Help is on the way,' in a statement that reflected the administration's evolving stance on face coverings.
However, the positive tests and symptoms of the Secret Service agents were a major factor in Pence's change of schedule, the officials said.
As the pandemic continues to spread, Pence's trip serves as a reminder of the dangers of carrying on with campaign and official government travel.
At least eight campaign staff members who helped plan President Trump's indoor rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have tested positive for the virus, either before the rally or after attending.
