Siman 148

We maintain in Sotah (39b): The shaliach tzibbur is not permitted to strip the teivah in the presence of the congregation, as long as they are in the beit knesset. Rashi explained that they were accustomed to bringing the Sefer Torah from another house where it was guarded to the beit knesset, and they would spread beautiful garments around the teivah (the bimah), and place it upon the teivah. And when they depart from there and take the Sefer Torah to place it in the house where it is guarded – he shall not strip the teivah in the presence of the congregation, for it is a burden on the congregation to be delayed there with the Sefer Torah. Rather, he leads the Sefer Torah and the people depart after it. And afterward, he comes and strips the teivah. Thus far his words.