And the “welcome to the Oscars” goes to… the vaccinated nominees.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is reportedly requiring guests and nominees attending this year’s Oscars ceremony at Hollywood’s Dolby Theater to show proof of COVID vaccination and at least two negative PCR tests.
Presenters and performers will not be required to do the same, but will have to pass a test.
The announcement comes just a week after it was reported that the Academy had decided guests would not be required to show proof of vaccination to attend the ceremony, only a negative COVID test.
That was quickly criticized on social media by movie lovers, celebrities and politicians.
Actor and producer Seth MacFarlane, host of the 2013 Oscars, called the decision “a colossal abdication of responsible management.”
For this year’s COVID-aware ceremony, the Academy is inviting 2,500 guests to the Dolby, which normally seats about 3,300 people.
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Guests may be required to wear face masks depending on where they are seated. Those in the orchestra and parterre areas will not be required to wear a mask, but will be seated with more space than usual.
The 94th Academy Awards will take place on March 27 at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. The ceremony will be hosted by Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes.
It comes on the heels of last year’s most unusual ceremony, which took place at a Los Angeles train station.
