CONCORD – The New Hampshire House of Representatives is scheduled to meet next week for House Session at the NH Sportsplex in Bedford on Wednesday, February 24th and Thursday, February 25th. Ahead of this unique undertaking, and to ensure a risk-mitigated environment, House Leadership has taken the following steps with recommendations from both the CDC and NH Department of Health and Human Services along with local and state partners:

Separate entrances on opposite side of facility for members of both parties. Both entrances are ADA accessible with ramps.

Every member will receive individual bags to include hand sanitizer, two additional face masks, bottled water, biohazard or paper waste disposable bag, voting device given to each member by their caucus staff and mileage documents/paperwork, etc.

Proper social distancing protocols including seating sections.

Members are recommended to wear masks.

Hand sanitizer stations set up at all restroom areas.

HVAC system within the facility is set to provide maximum ventilation and maximize fresh outdoor airflow.

AMR will have two paramedics assigned to the event.

House Speaker Sherman Packard said: “At over 50,000 square feet of floor space, we will have more than double the usable area of the Whittemore Center Arena to spread out and socially distance.” He added, “We have taken the time and due diligence to ensure this House Session provides a secure and risk-mitigated environment in order for all Members to participate. We continue to follow CDC guidelines concerning COVID-19 practices and have actively sought out the advice and recommendation of DHHS to ensure the well-being of all in attendance. It has always been our priority to accommodate all Members while maintaining the integrity of the House Session process in which our constituents have entrusted us to do.”

Please see document Public Health Measures & Emergency Medical Response Capacity attached for more information. House Session for February 24th and 25th will be livestreamed at the following link: http://nhhouse.edifymultimedia.com. This link will not be live until the session begins at 9:00 a.m. on February 24th.

Follow the New Hampshire House of Representatives on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NHHouseofReps and Facebook at www.facebook.com/nhhouseofreps. Follow the New Hampshire House Speaker on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NHSpeaker. Also, sign up for NH Alerts to receive emergency information via your mobile phones.