The new policies come nearly two years after the Trump administration ordered racial justice protestors cleared from the square for a presidential photo-op in front of a nearby church.

The 2020 March on Washington, the RNC, and events organized by local grassroots organizations are bringing thousands of people to the nation’s capital this week.

“This was something conceived of long before and didn’t turn on the nature of the crowd” of protesters, Attorney General William Barr says.

Officials are asking organizers to include anti-COVID-19 measures in their event plans, such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

And more events are being planned for beyond this week.