Academy to require vaccine proof for Oscars guests and nominees but not performers, presenters

Guests and nominees at the 94th Academy Awards will be required to show proof of a Covid-19 vaccine while performers and presenters will be exempt, according to reports.

It is understood the latter category will be exempt because they fall under return-to-work rules agreed upon by the unions and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers whereby producers do not have to mandate vaccines for cast and crew. For the Oscars that translates to performers and presenters.

All attendees and participants will be required to test, however. Guests and nominees must present at least two negative PCR tests while presenters and performers will be tested rigorously. It remained to be seen what happens if a nominee is also a performer and/or presenter.

The New York Times first reported the protocols on Thursday evening (17). The report said audience members closest to the stage in Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre will not have to wear masks, while those sitting further back in the mezzanine area will be required to do so.

The Academy will invite 2,500 people who will fill just over 75% of the venue’s 3,317 seats.

According to the Times the Academy did not comment on a report in The Hollywood Reporter last week that no Oscars attendees would be required to show proof of vaccination although they would be tested. That sparked an outcry on social media.

Other Hollywood awards shows have set stricter protocols. All attendees at SAG Awards (February 27) and Critics Choice Awards (March 13) will be required to present vaccine proof and a negative test.

Los Angeles County has lifted its outdoor mask mandate as the number of Covd-19 cases in the county and the state of California decline and are nearing summer 2021 levels of an average of roughly 25,000 cases a day.

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