Why No One Is Wearing Masks at the 2021 Oscars

The Oscars are majorly scaled down this year—meaning it’s pretty much just nominees and presenters, and everyone’s fully spaced out, socially distanced, and (!!!!!!!) vaccinated. But you may have noticed that most celebs are’'t wearing masks. So...what’s up with that? Here’s the deal:

Masks Aren’t Required...At Least Not on Camera

Instead of being treated as an ~event~, the Oscars is being treated as a TV/film production—meaning that masks are not required for people who are directly on camera. However, per Variety, the moment someone is off camera, they’re technically supposed to put their mask right back on.

Regina King explained it best during her opening remarks, saying she was “very proud and excited to be here” and that “yes, we are doing it maskless.”

 

"When we're rolling, masks off. And when we're not rolling, masks on." Regina King outlines COVID protocols for tonight's #Oscars. https://t.co/ScDUrk0xaG pic.twitter.com/4DxjIlQgVd

— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 26, 2021

“You are probably asking, ‘How are they able to do that?’ Well, think of this as a movie set—an Oscars movie with a cast of over 200 nominees,” Regina explained. “People have been vaxxed, tested, retested, socially distanced, and we are following all of the rigorous protocols that got us back to work safely.”

She added, “So just like on a movie set, when we are rolling, masks off. And when we’re not rolling, masks on. Alright? That’s how we do it.”

Here’s Zendaya keeping her mask on while seated next to Aaron Sorkin (lol):

Zendaya has chosen to keep her mask on when seated next to Aaron Sorkin. #oscars pic.twitter.com/QJJFpkF6nK

— Jamie B. Golden (@jamiebgolden) April 26, 2021

Audience Members Are Being Rotated in and Out

While the Oscars seem pretty streamlined to everyone sitting on their couch at home, there's a LOT going on behind the scenes. To make sure everyone’s able to keep a safe distance, audience members are being rotated in and out of the ceremony—and before the show, there were mandatory temperature checks and attendees were required to take at least three (3!) COVID-19 tests prior to the ceremony. So yes, safety is a huge priority!!!! You love to see it.