Stars coming to New York for MTV VMAs exempt from 14-day quarantine: report

Musical performers and celebrities coming to New York for the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) will not be subject to the state’s 14-day coronavirus quarantine mandate, according to a New York Post report.

“The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and Citywide Events is working in close coordination with the production to ensure guidelines are being followed,” a City Hall spokesperson told the newspaper.

“[Performers] will only interact with other members of the cast and crew and will quarantine when not working,” the spokesperson added.

The news comes one week after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) added two more states to New York’s quarantine list, bringing the total number of states to 33, with the governor saying “there’s no excuse for getting complacent” as infection rates continue to fall.

Cuomo recently issued an executive order stating any person who violates the 14-day quarantine order is subject to a fine up to $10,000 or up to 15 days in jail.

The award show, set for Aug. 30, will take place outdoors without audiences. The locations of the performances are reportedly being kept secret to avoid crowds forming.

Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus are among the stars slated to perform, while the event will be hosted by Keke Palmer.

Rapper Roddy Ricch was also scheduled to perform, but announced Saturday he had to call off appearing due to “COVID compliance issues.”

“Unfortunately, I won’t be performing at this year’s VMAs as announced,” he wrote on Instagram. “My team and I did everything in our power to make this work, due to COVID compliance issues at the last minute we had to call off the performance. My team and I are safe and everyone’s health is a main priority, as well as giving a quality performance.”

The VMAs first aired in September 1984 on MTV.