As music’s top stars arrive in New York for the Video Music Awards, NYPD officers will monitor performances not for artistic merit but for COVID-19 safety compliance. Authorities confirmed that the department’s TV/Movie unit will ensure masks and social distancing are enforced among performers and crews during Sunday’s event, which relocated outdoors from Barclays Center due to pandemic concerns. Artists including Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, and Miley Cyrus will perform at various outdoor venues with minimal or no live audiences.
While New York mandates a 14-day quarantine for travelers from 34 high-infection states like California and Florida, VMA performers received a partial exemption. State officials clarified that participants may work but must limit interactions to the production team and quarantine when off-duty. The exemption requires rigorous safety protocols, including testing and oversight by a compliance officer.
Not all celebrities followed standard procedures. Kanye West avoided quarantine rules by flying into New Jersey before entering Manhattan briefly, exploiting a loophole for travelers passing through New York for under 24 hours. His representatives did not confirm his departure location.
Meanwhile, over 415,000 travelers entering New York from restricted states have completed health forms since June, disclosing contact details and agreeing to daily monitoring. Refusal risks fines up to $2,000. Officials admitted enforcement isn’t perfect but emphasized the forms’ role in discouraging nonessential travel. NYC’s Test and Trace program conducts follow-ups via calls, texts, and door knocks, while sheriff’s deputies distribute masks and forms at major bridges and tunnels.
Critics like Staten Island Councilman Joseph Borelli denounced the measures as unconstitutional and chaotic, citing fluctuating state listings and inconsistent rules. Despite challenges, health authorities report high compliance, offering quarantine support like food delivery and free hotel stays to those isolating.