Petition for Alien Fiance and COVID

Does anyone know if COVID is a valid exemption to the "have you met in person" requirement?

In my case, we met during the pandemic and she lives in a country that is not allowing foreigners in at all, unless they are diplomats. So we can't meet in person.

Would that be accepted as an exemption? Or should I wait before filing the form and paying the $535 fee until we have met in person?