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When President Joe Biden speaks to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, it will look different than presidential addresses in years past with the event taking place amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and heightened security concerns in the wake of the January 6 Capitol attack.

The joint session will be designated a National Special Security Event and there will be a limit on the number of lawmakers in the chamber due to Covid-19 protocols, a Capitol official involved in planning told CNN. Lawmakers will be seated in the upstairs gallery in addition to the House floor and guests will not be permitted. A total of about 200 people are expected to be allowed in the House chamber.

Even the date and timing of the address was affected by the pandemic. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter earlier this month inviting Biden to speak to Congress after previously saying that she was waiting to make a decision on extending an invitation due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden wont be required to wear a mask while speaking on Wednesday, however. House rules require anyone speaking in the chamber to be wearing a mask, but that doesnt apply to Biden because the rules only pertain to lawmakers, according to a senior Democratic aide.

The rule, which took effect on January 4, similarly didnt apply to then-Vice President Mike Pence when he presided over the congressional certification of Bidens victory on January 6.

The House Sergeant at Arms sent a letter on Friday to members offices, which noted that due to Covid and safety protocols, the joint address is invite-only with invitations extended to a limited number of lawmakers. Sources familiar told CNN that Capitol Police initially asked for fencing to remain in place until the address to a joint session of Congress.

Its unclear how many lawmakers per party will attend. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell both are expected to attend.

Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, told reporters Monday, I understand its going to be selective seating, so I hope Im there. Asked if hes going, he replied, I dont know. I dont know if I made the cut.

Sen. John Thune, the Republican whip, told reporters that he thinks each Senate caucus will receive 30 invitations to the joint address, and each House caucus will receive 40.

I think right now my understanding at least the way theyre limiting it its like 40-40. 40 Rs, 40 Ds. And then the Senates like 30 and 30, or something like that, Thune said.

The South Dakota senator said he doesnt think that number of invites will be a problem for Republicans, and anyone who wants to attend he thinks should be able to. Thune added, Im sure there are a lot of members who prefer to watch it from their offices or somewhere else.

The letter from the House Sergeant at Arms stated that if a lawmaker does not receive an invitation from congressional leadership, he or she will not be allowed inside the Capitol after 5 p.m. ET on the day of the address.

Many, though not all, congressional lawmakers have been vaccinated. CNN confirmed last month that 189 Democrats out of 219 in the House have been vaccinated, and 53 House Republicans out of 211 have been vaccinated.

In another sign of how the setup will be different this year, first lady Jill Biden wont have a traditional viewing box at Bidens joint session address as coronavirus restrictions limit capacity in the chamber for the speech, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday.

Jill Biden will attend the address to Congress, but due to increased Covid protocols and decreased attendance she will not be bringing guests to sit with her, Jill Bidens press secretary Michael LaRosa told CNN.

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Covid and security precautions will make this year's joint address to Congress different - KNBR