LA County public health dept says maskless Emmys were fine because 'exceptions are made for film, television, and music productions'

LA County's Health Officer order requires residents to wear a mask indoors, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated. However, "exceptions are made for film, television, and music productions," the Department of Health said in a press statement, defending the maskless Emmys.

Hollywood celebrities gathered on Sunday for the 73rd annual Emmy awards in Los Angeles. The stars were caught partying maskless in a sealed tent with minimal ventilation as the assembly of masked servants looked on.

While many Democrat-run cities have imposed strict coronavirus mandates that celebrities have supported, like indoor mask requirements and vaccination passports, the stars were seen turning a blind eye to the very measures they've shamed others for not complying with.

"The Emmy Award Show is a television production, and persons appearing on the show are considered performers. All persons appearing on or in the audience of the Emmy Award Show were fully vaccinated against COVID-19," reads an LA County Department of Public Health press statement.

The Public Health Department was informed that each attendee had a verified negative PCR test 48 hours before the show, according to the statement obtained by CNN senior media reporter Oliver Darcy. In addition, the production crew, under CalOSHA requirements, were required to be fully vaccinated or are testing—either PCR or antigen—twice per week, the press statement reads.

According to the statement, the Emmys reached out to the Department of Public Health in advance to share the show's 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 statement says.

"Full vaccination of all attendees is one of the most powerful ways to achieve a safe environment," reads the press statement. "Testing of event participants and crew and optimizing ventilation are additional powerful tools."

The Department of Public Health said it will continue to "review the protocols of future large television production events" and "prescribe additional safety modifications" to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

For the second year in a row, the annual awards show was held outside on the enclosed Event Deck at LA Live next to Microsoft Theater—with a limited number of invites to allegedly help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The event's first presenter, comedian Seth Rogan, slammed the Emmys organizers for hosting in a crowded tent, which allegedly increases the likelihood of spreading COVID-19.

"Let me start by saying—there's way too many of us in this little room," Rogan mocked the enclosed tent when organizers insisted the gala was to be held outside. "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," he said. "I would not have come to this. Why is there a roof? It's more important that we have three chandeliers than to make sure we don't kill Eugene Levy tonight. That is what has been decided."

Although safety precautions were in place, such as proof of vaccination and/or a negative COVID-19 test result, attendees of the exclusive gala were seen maskless and not socially distancing. "This is insane," Seth added. "I went from wiping my groceries to having Paul Bettany sneeze in my face. So that's a big week."