Trevor James
The Met Gala is an annual fashion event held by Vogue and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 2021, the Met Gala enforced a COVID-19 vaccination mandate and mask requirement for all attendees. This meant that all guests had to provide proof of full vaccination and wear masks indoors unless they were eating or drinking. However, there was controversy surrounding the event as many celebrities were seen without masks, while staff and photographers were universally masked. This sparked criticism and accusations of COVID rules being applied differently to different groups of people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the Met Gala | 13 September 2021 |
| Vaccination Requirements | All attendees must provide proof of full vaccination |
| Mask Requirements | All attendees must wear masks indoors except when eating or drinking |
| Theme | In America: A Lexicon of Fashion |
| Hosts | Billie Eilish, Naomi Osaka, Amanda Gorman, and Timothée Chalamet |
| Honorary Chairs | Tom Ford and Anna Wintour |
| COVID Protocols | The CDC recommended that fully vaccinated people wear masks in indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission |
| Criticism | Celebrities were criticised for not wearing masks while staff were required to do so |
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What You'll Learn
Guests had to provide proof of full vaccination
Guests at the Met Gala were required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. This was in line with New York City's mandate that all people aged 12 and older must show proof of receiving "at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine" to enter public places, including museums. The Met Gala's policy also required attendees to provide a negative PCR test result from the day before the event.
The Met Gala's vaccination requirement was announced on the same day as the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced a vaccine mandate for all guests, staff members, and individuals at New York Fashion Week events. The event organisers wanted to put pressure on people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
A spokesperson for the Met Gala confirmed that "all attendees [...] must provide proof of full vaccination and will also be expected to wear masks indoors except when eating or drinking." They added that the guidelines would be updated as needed.
Guests who were unable to provide proof of full vaccination were refused admission to the event. This was made clear in the guidelines, which stated that there would be "no vaccination, no entry."
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Celebrities were criticised for not wearing masks
The 2021 Met Gala required all attendees to be fully vaccinated and provide a negative PCR test from the day before the event. Guests were also expected to wear masks indoors, except when eating or drinking. However, celebrities were criticised for not adhering to the mask mandate while staff and "servants" were forced to cover up. This double standard was highlighted by journalists such as Karol Markowicz, who wrote, "COVID rules are for serfs, not celebrities".
Vice President Kamala Harris's stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, was also noted for removing her mask during the event, despite the expectation that attendees would wear masks indoors. This fuelled criticism of the perceived special treatment given to the rich and famous, with National Review's Charles W. Cooke questioning why staff had to wear masks while celebrities did not. The Met Gala's mask policy was in line with New York City's mandate, which required proof of vaccination for entry into public indoor spaces, including museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the event was held.
The controversy surrounding mask-wearing at the Met Gala highlighted the public's frustration with the apparent discrepancy between the rules for celebrities and the general public. While the event organisers emphasised the importance of health and safety measures, the lack of consistent mask-wearing by celebrities undermined the message of COVID-19 prevention. This incident serves as a reminder that public figures are also responsible for upholding health protocols, especially during a global pandemic.
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Staff and 'help' wore masks
While the Met Gala mandated that all guests must be fully vaccinated and wear masks indoors, it was noted that celebrities did not wear masks during the event. Staff and helpers, on the other hand, were masked, which led to criticism of the event for its apparent double standard.
Journalists and commentators pointed out the discrepancy between the rules for celebrities and staff, with some suggesting that COVID rules seemed to be applied differently for the rich and famous. This criticism extended to the event's guests as well, who were largely left-leaning and were accused of not adhering to the COVID safety protocols they advocated.
The Met Gala's policy, as reported, required all attendees to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative PCR test from the day before. Masks were also mandated for all attendees while indoors, except when eating or drinking. These rules were in line with New York City's local mandates, which required proof of vaccination for entry into public indoor spaces, including museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where the Met Gala is held.
Despite these requirements, it was observed that celebrities and guests at the Met Gala did not consistently wear masks indoors. This contrasted with the staff and helpers, who were seen wearing masks. This discrepancy prompted questions about the fairness and effectiveness of the event's COVID-19 safety measures.
Some have defended the event, noting that the mayor's executive order did exempt celebrities who are performing or presenting at the event. However, this did not explain why other attendees and celebrities did not follow the mask mandate. The Met Gala and its organizers have not publicly addressed this issue or provided an explanation for the apparent discrepancy in mask-wearing between staff and guests.
The controversy surrounding the Met Gala's COVID-19 protocols adds to other criticisms the event has faced, including the ethical conduct of attendees, such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was found to have violated House Gift Rules by accepting free admission for her fiancé, Riley Roberts, and not paying the full market value for her attire.
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The event required a negative PCR test the day before
The Met Gala is an annual fashion event that took place on 13 September 2021. The event enforced a COVID-19 vaccination mandate and a mask requirement. Attendees were required to provide proof of full vaccination and were expected to wear masks indoors except when eating or drinking.
In addition to the vaccination mandate, the event also required a negative PCR test the day before. This meant that all attendees had to present a negative PCR test taken within a specific time frame before the event. This requirement was in place to ensure that those attending the event were not currently infected with COVID-19, even if they had already received their vaccinations.
The PCR test requirement was an important precautionary measure, as it provided an additional layer of protection against the spread of the virus. By requiring a recent negative test, the organisers could be more confident that the event would not become a superspreader event, which could have had significant consequences for the attendees, staff, and the wider community.
This requirement was in line with the guidelines and mandates in place at the time. New York City, where the Met Gala is held, had implemented various measures to control the spread of COVID-19. These included vaccine mandates for indoor patrons at restaurants, entertainment facilities, and other public spaces. The city also required proof of vaccination for staff and customers at various locations, such as museums, which included the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the venue for the Met Gala.
The combination of the vaccination mandate and the negative PCR test requirement was an attempt to create a safe environment for all involved. While the vaccination mandate aimed to reduce the risk of infection and severe illness, the negative PCR test provided an extra layer of protection, ensuring that those attending the event were not currently infected with the virus.
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The mandate was in line with New York City's rules
The Met Gala's mandate that all attendees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination was in line with New York City's rules. New York City requires proof of vaccination to access all public indoor spaces, including museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is where the Met Gala is held.
The Met Gala's vaccination requirement was announced on the same day as New York City's mandate that all guests, staff members, and individuals at New York Fashion Week events must be vaccinated. This mandate was in accordance with New York City's broader vaccine mandate for all indoor patrons at restaurants, fitness centres, and entertainment facilities.
New York City's vaccine mandate states that all people ages 12 and older must show proof of having received "at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine" to enter public places such as movie theatres, music and concert venues, museums, aquariums, zoos, and sports arenas. The Met Gala's mandate went a step further by requiring all attendees to be fully vaccinated, which meant that they had to provide proof of having received the complete series of COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Met Gala's mandate was also in line with New York City's broader push to increase vaccination rates and stop the spread of the Delta variant. Mayor de Blasio stated, "It's time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good and full and healthy life... The goal here is to convince everyone that this is the time. If we're going to stop the Delta variant, the time is now."
While the Met Gala's mandate was consistent with New York City's rules and broader public health goals, there was criticism that celebrities and staff were treated differently when it came to mask-wearing. While the Met Gala's policy required all attendees to wear masks indoors except when eating or drinking, it was observed that many celebrities did not wear masks, while staff and photographers were mostly masked. This discrepancy led to accusations of hypocrisy and the perception that COVID rules were being applied differently to different groups of people.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. All attendees at the 2021 Met Gala had to provide proof of full vaccination and were expected to wear masks indoors except when eating or drinking.
Yes, celebrities were not required to wear masks on the outdoor red carpet.
The theme was 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion'.
