2020 MTV VMAs To Proceed With ‘Limited Capacity Or No Audience’ Rule In August

MTV is proceeding with its annual Video Music Awards will enforce stricter COVID-19 protocols. This is in line with the rules concerning the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic and the avoidance of its transmission among attendees and observers.

On Monday, it was announced that the awards show will be held on a Sunday, August 30. The venue will be at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N. Y. The event also got a stamp of approval from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. According to People, it was actually the governor who revealed the event through a press conference on the same day.

The show, according to the press conference, will showcase the strength, spirit, and incredible resilience of the city and its residents. There are yet-to-be-determined artists who will perform at selected locations in the city for the broadcast.

Bruce Gillmer, president of Music, Talent, Programming and Events for ViacomCBS Media Networks, added that it was an honor to bring back the VMAs to the ‘mecca’ of world-class entertainment and music.

Alt Press cited a recent event which showed that it was possible to make a show and have it COVID-proofed, so to speak. The Black Entertainment Television Awards 2020, which happened over the weekend, featured a "socially-distant" format and performances from DaBaby and Megan Thee Stallion, among other artists. Those who accepted awards did so from the relatively safe confines of their homes.

The success of BET’s unprecedented completely virtual awards show might be an example that the 2020 VMAs could follow. It’s still not stopping MTV from holding an in-person show, however, with the aforementioned restrictions in place.

A spokesperson said that the production team was in touch with key government officials, as well as the medical community, to source how to hold the 2020 VMAs with safety in mind. The spokesperson also added that the health of everyone remained the top priority, and MTV has "several contingency plans" in place to bring the event to audiences everywhere.

Gov. Cuomo also stressed that the event will go on as planned, and will be following safety guidelines, including the option for limited or no audience at the event sites.