US inauguration planners rethink celebrations in age of coronavirus

Inaugural preparations continue on the West Front of Capitol Hill in Washington, looking at the National Mall and Washington Monument (Susan Walsh/AP)

Public health guidance to avoid big parties in the age of the coronavirus is about to collide with what is typically one of America’s biggest celebrations of all – the swearing-in of a new president.

While lots of details are still to be worked out, this January 20 is sure to be more subdued than previous inauguration days.