Oscars grapples with COVID restrictions: Celebrities coming from outside US will have to quarantine for 10 days while all others will have to isolate for five ahead of in-person ceremony split between Union Station and Dolby Theatre
- The Oscars will be held on April 25 at Union Station and the Dolby Theatre
- However, hosting the Oscars in-person is proving to be a headache for some nominees, especially those who live internationally
- International nominees will have to quarantine for 10 days and those living in LA and other parts of the US will have to isolate for five days before the ceremony
- Celebrities traveling internationally will have to take three COVID-19 tests
- While those traveling domestically will be required to take two COVID-19 tests
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is grappling with COVID-19 restrictions as it’s revealed that international nominees will be expected to quarantine for 10 days while those living in Los Angeles or flying in domestically will have to isolate for five days before the Oscars ceremony next month.
Unlike most awards shows this year, the Oscars will not be held virtually on April 25.
The Academy will hand out the highest honors in the movie industry at the historic Union Station in downtown Los Angeles and also at the traditional home of the Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
And since the show will not be virtual, attendees are being asked to quarantine.
According to an email obtained by Showbiz411, all international nominees were advised to prepare to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.
The email said the Academy will handle all COVID tests, with three tests being required leading up to the show for international travelers.
LA-based nominees and those located in other parts of the US are being asked to ‘quarantine for 5 days’.
The Academy is reportedly grappling with COVID-19 restrictions as it’s revealed that international nominees will be expected to quarantine for 10 days while those living in LA or flying in domestically will have to isolate for five ahead of the Oscars (2020 pictured) show
Unlike most awards shows this year, the Oscars will not be held virtually on April 25. The Academy will hand out the highest honors in the movie industry at the historic Union Station (pictured) in Downtown Los Angeles
‘There will be 2 COVID tests required leading up to the show,’ the email reportedly reads.
According to the email, tickets for nominees are ‘non-transferrable’ and organizers ‘will not be able to credential studio nor personal reps to be onsite’.
The ‘No Zoom’ policy for this year’s Oscars ceremony is proving to be a headache for multiple nominees who live outside the US and who are still under pandemic restrictions.
Variety and Deadline Hollywood reported last week that publicists and some studio executives have complained to the film academy about logistics, costs and quarantine issues raised by the decision to bar nominees from taking part in the ceremony remotely.
The Academy did not return a request for comment on the reports.
Producers said two weeks ago that there will ‘not be an option to Zoom in for the show’ and encouraged nominees to attend in person.
The other part of the show will be held at the traditional home of the Academy Awards, the Dolby Theatre (pictured) in Hollywood
At least nine nominees, including Promising Young Woman director Emerald Fennell and star Carey Mulligan, live in Britain.
England this week is expected to ban nonessential international travel until mid-May.
And while there will not be an option for Zoom, winners not in attendance will be able to Zoom into the virtual press interview room following the ceremony.
Representatives of the five international feature films – submitted by Denmark, Hong Kong, Romania, Tunisia and Bosnia – could also face hurdles getting to Los Angeles.
Some of the other 200 or so nominees will be working on productions that require quarantine or living in restricted ‘bubbles’ with cast and crew.
Other awards shows in recent months have replaced the usual in-person gatherings at gala dinners and on stage with pre-recorded appearances or virtual events, or a combination of those with small in-person gatherings.
But television audiences have slumped, with the Golden Globes and the Grammys attracting the smallest numbers in decades.