K-pop superstars BTS will attend and perform at the 64th Grammy Awards to be held on April 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
However, BTS member Jungkook, who is fully vaccinated, tested positive for Covid-19 on March 28 in Las Vegas, raising questions on his participation at the Grammy Awards.
Big Hit announced on March 29 that before Jungkook left for the US on March 27, he tested negative using a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test in South Korea.
He left early in preparation for the Grammy Awards performance. After he arrived in Las Vegas, Jungkook “felt a slight discomfort in his throat and promptly took a rapid PCR test (Covid-19 molecular PCR test) and a standard PCR test (Covid-19 quantitative PCR test) on the afternoon of Sunday, March 27 (PT).”
“While being under self-quarantine as a proactive measure, the result of both tests came back positive, and Jung Kook was confirmed with Covid-19 on Monday, March 28 (PT). Jungkook has been currently under self-quarantine and treatment, following the guidelines of health authorities in the United States. He is not exhibiting any symptoms other than a mild sore throat, and we will attentively monitor his health during the quarantine,” Big Hit Music added.
The agency also discussed Jungkook’s participation at the 64th Grammy Awards and BTS Permission to Dance on Stage-Las Vegas concert, slated on April 8, 9, 15, and 16 at Allegiant Stadium.
“Jungkook's participation in the later schedule in the United States will be determined by the local regulations on Covid-19, while we are actively in discussion with the awards organizer,” it said.
What are the guidelines set by US health authorities on positive cases and isolation periods?
According to the Nevada Health Response website on Covid-19, “When you test positive for Covid-19, it is important to avoid others by staying home and to isolate from others in your home during that period. You isolate when you are sick or when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms.”
“Isolation is used to separate people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from those without COVID-19. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others,” it added.
The Nevada Health Response page stated that the isolation period for positive cases is five days.
In calculating the isolation period, “Day 0 is your first day of symptoms or the day of your positive viral test if you do not have symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed or after your test specimen was collected.”
“If you have COVID-19 or have symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days. (i.e. the completion of five full days after your first day of symptoms or positive test),” according to the website.
It added that when a person “had symptoms of Covid-19 but did not become severely ill, end isolation after five full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving.”
“You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for five additional days (day six through day 10) after the end of your five-day isolation period,” it added.
The Nevada page also added the following:
- What to do between days 5 and 10 if you meet the criteria for ending isolation at day 5:
- If you are unable to wear a mask around others, isolate for a full 10 days
- Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high-risk of severe Covid-19 disease until after 10 days
- Avoid travel until a full 10 days after your first day of symptoms or positive Covid-19 test
- Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask such as restaurants and gyms, until 10 days have passed since your symptoms started or you tested positive
On the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, it is stated that “if an individual has access to a test and wants to test, the best approach is to use an antigen test towards the end of the five-day isolation period.”
“Collect the test sample only if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation). If your test result is positive, you should continue to isolate until day 10. If your test result is positive, you can also choose to test daily and if your test result is negative, you can end isolation, but continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until day 10,” it said.
The Grammy Awards also listed the guidelines for those attending the awards ceremony and other Recording Academy and affiliates events.
“At this time, proof of full vaccination (received primary series of Covid-19 vaccinations) will be required along with a government-issued photo ID to attend all Recording Academy and Affiliates events in Las Vegas. Anyone who is exempt from Covid-19 vaccinations due to medical reasons or sincerely held religious beliefs must present a lab-administered negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within two days prior to the day of the event before entering,” according to the Grammy website.
It added, “Acceptable forms of proof of full vaccination include your physical vaccination card or photo of your physical vaccination card on your mobile device. Acceptable forms of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within two days prior to the day of the event include printed test result or electronic test result displayed on your mobile device. All forms of proof must clearly show the name of the attendee and will be matched to your government-issued ID before entering. These requirements are subject to change.”
About access to the red carpet event and media center, the Grammy Awards stated that it “will be limited to Grammy nominees and winners plus one guest each.”
“To access the red carpet and/or media center, Grammy nominees, winners and their guest must present a lab-administered negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within two days prior to the day of the event before entering, regardless of vaccination status,” it added.
It said, “The test must be presented at the appropriate checkpoints prior to entering either area. Acceptable forms of a lab-administered negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within two days prior to the day of the event include printed test result or electronic test result displayed on your mobile device. All forms of proof must clearly show the name of the attendee and will be matched to your government-issued ID before entering.”