2022 Critics Choice Awards Moving Forward with In-Person Event Despite COVID Spikes

Photo: The Critics' Choice Awards

The 2022 Critics Choice Awards will still be an in-person ceremony despite the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.

“We will continue to carefully monitor the situation as events progress,” the statement added.

BelfastandWest Side Storylead the nominations with 11 eachwhileDuneandThe Power of the Dogfollowed up with 10 each. For television, Succession,Mare of EasttownandEvilemerged as leading nominees.

Some other industry events are calling off their upcoming ceremonies or significantly paring down festivities.

“We are taking this action due to the recent spike in COVID cases and out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of the honorees, patrons and staff,” the statement read. “The Palm Springs Film Awards are one of the largest events in the film world with 2,500 guests and more than 1,000 staff in the room.”

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“The screening portion of the Palm Springs International Film Festival will take place January 7 through January 17, 2022, and will require proof of vaccination and the wearing of a mask. The Film Awards will partner withEntertainment Tonightto celebrate this year’s honorees with details to follow. Those who purchased tickets for the Film Awards will be reimbursed. We hope to return to the Film Awards to an in-person event in 2023.”

Last month, the CDC expanded its vaccine booster recommendations for Americans following thearrival of the Omicron variantin North America.

The spread of the variant “further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19,” the CDC said. “Early data from South Africa suggest increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and scientists in the United States and around the world are urgently examining vaccine effectiveness related to this variant.”

As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.

source: people.com