Oscars 2022 Won't Require COVID-19 Vaccination For Presenters, Performers

The Academy Awards will ask for proof of COVID-19 vaccination from attending guests and nominees but not from presenters and performers this year.

While the Oscars 2022 will be requiring vaccination against COVID-19, Variety confirmed Thursday that this rule will not be implemented to all. The stars the organization tapped to present and perform at the ceremony will not be asked to provide proof of vaccination. However, they will be tested rigorously in the run-up to the event in March.

The confirmation was necessary since reports about the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ COVID-19 policy that surfaced on Feb. 9 claimed the Oscars would not be requiring attendees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported Thursday that all nominees and invited guests will be asked to show proof of vaccination before entering the venue. The proof should include two negative PCR test results.

Organizers have invited a total of 2,500 nominees and guests to the ceremony at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on March 27. The venue normally seats over 3,300 people.

An insider explained to Variety that the decision to not require vaccination for performers and presenters was in line with the agreement between the unions and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

Aside from the modified vaccination requirement, the Academy has also decided to ask guests to wear masks depending on their seating area. Only those who will be occupying the orchestra and parterre sections won’t be forced to don face masks during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, it has already been confirmed that the Oscars won’t be hostless this year. Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall and Amy Schumer will preside over the 94th Academy Awards, making them the first emcees of the event in four years, according to Entertainment Weekly.

In the previous years, the ceremony remained hostless after Kevin Hart stepped down from the role in 2018 when he got involved in a controversy surrounding his homophobic and transphobic remarks in the past. The actor has since apologized and expressed his commitment to change for the better.