Violating orders to prevent any gathering of more than 50 people

Trump holds an election rally in a closed place despite coronavirus fears

US President Donald Trump held his first election rally in a closed place in months, despite warnings from public health officials against holding large gatherings in closed places during the emerging coronavirus pandemic.

The gathering at an industrial facility in Henderson, Nevada, violates local orders that prohibit any gatherings of more than 50 people in closed spaces, and it also comes at a time when the United States is close to recording 200,000 deaths due to the Corona virus pandemic that has damaged the economy.

Trump preached for more than an hour in a rowdy crowd of supporters (many of them not wearing masks) at an industrial facility owned by one of his supporters.

Trump said: "Tell your rulers to open your states," adding that the United States is "at the last turning point regarding the Corona virus pandemic."

"In 51 days from now, we will win Nevada, and we will win another four years in the White House," Trump said.

Henderson's spokeswoman, Kathleen Richards, told CNN that the event violates state procedures related to "Covid-19" and the host company may lose its commercial license.

Shortly before the gathering, Democratic Governor of Nevada, Steve Sisolak, said that Trump was taking "reckless and selfish acts that put countless lives at risk here in Nevada."

Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh justified the gathering in a closed space, saying that if Americans are able to participate in protests, play in a casino, or burn small businesses during riots, they should be able to hear the president.

The campaign said it would conduct temperature checks during the event and provide masks and hand sanitiser, although participants in Trump's rallies often do not wear masks.

Follow our latest local and sports news, and the latest political and economic developments via Google news