Steve Holland, Jarrett Renshaw

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – U.S. president Joe Biden will return to Washington’s Washington tradition and speak at the White House Correspondents Association dinner Saturday night. This is his first speech at this annual event since 2016.

The event was cancelled for 2 years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was boycotted during Donald Trump’s presidency. This year, however, it is back with gusto. Trevor Noah will be delivering remarks.

Washington hosts more than 20 parties related to the WHCA before and after Saturday’s major event. Numerous senior officials from both the administration and entertainment industry will be there as well.

A recent increase in COVID-19 in Washington and a particular outbreak at the White House journalists’ White-tie Gridiron dinner in April has prompted some caution.

Organisers require that every person attending the event be tested for the disease. Dr. Antony Fauci has also dropped out.

According to Jen Psaki, White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday said that Biden would take additional precautions during the event. He will skip the dinner and only attend the speakers program. Biden may wear a mask if he’s not speaking.

When asked what Biden would tell the crowd, Psaki replied: “I will lower my expectations and say that it’s no funny at all.”

Recent weeks have seen the president mostly be unmasked at White House events. But those events were less popular than Saturday’s dinner that is expected to host approximately 2,600 journalists, Washington officials, and celebrities.

In 1914, The White House Correspondents Association was established. Since then, almost every year has seen a White House Correspondents Association dinner to recognize the contributions of reporters covering the presidency.