VP debate news - live: CDC says Pence not a ‘close contact’ of Trump and clears him for debate after negative tests

US vice president Mike Pence and Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, are due to come face-to-face for the first time on the debate stage in Salt Lake City tonight in what is being billed as the most anticipated clash between two running mates in recent memory.

The debate was given approval to go ahead after both candidates returned negative coronavirus tests on Wednesday, and the CDC said Pence was not a "close contact" of Donald Trump.

As a precaution, the candidates will debate each other from behind a plexiglass screen in an attempt to avoid the further spread of the contagion - although both participants have so far tested negative consistently.

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