(CNN) Former President Barack Obama has dramatically scaled back his planned 60th birthday party on Martha's Vineyard this weekend due to concerns about the highly transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19, according to a spokeswoman. More than 400 guests, including celebrities and former Obama administration officials, were reportedly expected to attend the affair, along with nearly 200 hired staff working the party. But now, the celebration for Obama, who turns 60 on Wednesday, will be only be for family and close friends. "This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with covid safeguards in place," Hannah Hankins, a spokeswoman for Obama, said in a statement Wednesday provided to CNN. "Due to the new spread of the delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends."

Source: CNN August 04, 2021 11:42 UTC