The Los Angeles County Health Department has defended Sunday night's Emmy Awards amid criticism that stars were not wearing masks or social distancing - by claiming that the event was a TV production, with stars considered 'performers'.
Indoor masking mandates are currently in place in the the city for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. While the Emmys was technically considered as an 'outdoor event,' the ceremony took place inside an enclosed tent.
The lack of masks was even referred to by presenter Seth Rogen, who said the experience was like being 'in a hermetically sealed tent.'
Viewers took to social media to criticize the show, pointing out the hypocrisy of Covid rules that apply to the average person but don't seem to apply to multi-million dollar celebrities.
But the LA Health Dept has now stressed how 'exceptions are made for film, television, and music productions, as additional safety modifications are made for these controlled interactions.'
'The Emmy Award Show is a television production, and persons appearing on the show are considered performers,' the department wrote in a statement.
'All persons appearing on or in the audience of the Emmy Award Show were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
The L.A. County health department says Emmys were exempt from mask requirements, and insists award show was COVID safe
No social distancing rules were followed and it did not appear as though masks were being worn
Seth Rogen called out the Emmys for packing people inside during his monologue to open the show
LA officials continued: 'The Emmys reached out to Public Health in advance to share their safety protocols, which exceeded the baseline requirements for television and film productions. Careful planning before large events is essential to assure that all health and safety requirements are adequately addressed.'
The Health Department was also informed that all those who attended tested negative for COVID within a 48-hour window prior to the event, according to Fox News.
Those working at the event including production crews who were also required to be vaccinated and had to show a negative test twice a week.
'Full vaccination of all attendees is one of the most powerful ways to achieve a safe environment. Testing of event participants and crew and optimizing ventilation are additional powerful tools,' the Department of Health wrote in a statement.
'Public Health will continue review the protocols of future large television production events and prescribe additional safety modifications to mitigate risk of COVID-19 transmission.'
The awards ceremony also received criticism for forcing staff to wear masks while celebrities did not have to
People took to Twitter to point out the hypocrisy of Covid rules that apply to the average person but don't seem to apply to multi-million dollar celebrities
Rogen, who was presenting the first award of the night seemed taken aback, saying the guests were 'lied to about it being outside.'
'Good to be here at the Emmy Awards,' Rogen said. 'Let me start by saying: there's way too many of us in this little room. What are we doing? They said this was outdoors—it's not! They lied to us.
'We're in a hermetically-sealed tent right now. I would not have come to this. Why is there a roof?' Rogen joked.
'It's more important that we have three chandeliers than that we make sure we don't kill Eugene Levy tonight. That is what has been decided.
'This is insane. I went from wiping my groceries to having Paul Bettany sneeze in my face .. so, that's a big week. If anyone's gonna sneeze in my face, Paul, I want it to be you.'
Jurnee Smollett (far left) and Cynthia Erivo (far right) take a selfie on the red carpet of the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards
The Emmys was a packed house with a who's who of celebrities
Although Rogen appeared to be joking, videos and pictures of the even did indeed show that there was a packed crowd inside.
After Rogen's spiel and before the Emmys cut for commercial, Emmys DJ Reggie Watts clarified the record and said they're following all health and safety guidelines, the USA Today reported.
Then host Cedric the Entertainer said, 'It actually feels amazing in here unlike what Seth (Rogen) was talking about. It feels good. We’re all vaxxed. We had to get vaxxed to come here.'
Celebrities were seen gathered in large groups, not wearing masks, and hugging and kissing each other, which angered some viewers who vented on Twitter.
One person wrote on Twitter: 'No distancing, no masks. Clearly a slap in the face for all the font line workers that are still dealing with the pandemic. Check your privilege @TheEmmys#Emmys.'
And another tweeted, 'No masks being worn INSIDE at The Emmys. Call me not shocked, love to preach but not practice what they preach…'
Twitter user 'Biancaisabelle' said, 'Why no masks in sight at the #emmys?! these be the same people preaching against stubbornness and stupidity in this pandemic yet... agh hypocrisy. there's seth rogen calling it out but he still came on, and w/o a mask as well. what was that? all talk, no conviction in action.'
Akinwumi Oyebade tweeted, 'I agree with Seth Rogen... WTF was the #Emmys doing packing that room in the middle of a pandemic... Sends a terrible message. Why I stopped watching hours ago.'
Randee Dawn said on Twitter, 'I am so happy for the Emmy winners but is there a reason they couldn't get a good air conditioner in this "hermetically sealed tin" (as Seth Rogen put it) they're all celebrating in? So much glowing. I am honestly fearful for everyone's vaccinated safety. #Emmys2021'
Hollywood celebrities were criticized for not masking up at the event
On Friday, the Los Angeles County Department of Health issued a new mandate - which will go in effect on October 8 - that will require unvaccinated people to require proof of vaccination or wear masks inside.
According to the new mandate, the number of COVID-19 cases 'remains high' but hospitalizations and positivity rate is 'declining' or 'steady.'
The current mandate - that has been in effect since August 19 - requires attendees at an indoor event with more than 1,000 attendees or an outdoor event with more than 10,000 attendees to wear masks at all times, except when eating.
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