Eurovision 2021: all artists in Rotterdam
Organisers confirm they want all artists in Rotterdam this May, but with limited or no audience.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under Coronavirus, Eurovision, News
Eurovision organisers overnight “re-affirmed” a Plan B for the event in Rotterdam in May.
One of 4 previously outlined strategies, Plan B allows for all artists Live in Rotterdam, but with limited or no audience members, subject to government regulations.
A COVID-safe plan will include regular testing, social distancing observed, with 500 journalists (a further 1000 in a new online press centre) and scaled-back events in the city of Rotterdam.
All those attending from abroad are recommended to go into quarantine for 5 days before departure to the Netherlands and they must test negative for COVID-19 at most 72 hours before they fly.
Once in the Netherlands, delegations have to stay in their hotel, except when they travel to Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena for rehearsals, the live shows and other programme related activities.
Should circumstances change in the coming weeks the event may still be scaled down.
“The spirit and tradition of the Eurovision Song Contest is about uniting Europe on one stage and we are very much still determined to achieve this in Rotterdam in May,” said Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor.
“We are moving forward with our plans to produce a safe Eurovision Song Contest, with all artists performing live in Rotterdam. This protocol demonstrates our commitment to make this happen, with the health and safety of everyone attending, including crew and press, our top priority,” he added.
“In recent months, a lot of hard work has been done behind the scenes on this extensive Health and Safety protocol, in order to allow us to stage this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in a responsible manner,” added Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer Event of the 2021 Contest.
“With the help of extensive testing, mask wearing, hygiene measures, attention to ventilation and innovative measures, we will create an environment in which crew, artists and the press can work as safely as possible.”
41 public service broadcasters will submit entries for the 65th Eurovision Song Contest.
2 Semi-Finals will be staged on Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 May at the Rotterdam Ahoy Arena in the Netherlands.
The Grand Final, featuring 26 songs, will be held on Saturday 22 May at 21.00 CEST (May 23 Australia).
Australia’s Montaigne is yet to unveil her song but is performing at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras this Saturday, which is produced by local Eurovision experts Blink TV. One guess what she will be performing…
Share
- Tagged with Eurovision Song Contest
7 Responses
If Olympics and Australian Open take place – why can’t Eurovision?! It would be wonderful to see this back on our screens as we emerge from the pandemic.
Because Eurovision artists don’t need to be in the same room as each other to compete. Tennis players do.
This is really foolish. They should be performing from their home countries this year.
agree.
I came to say the exact thing. Would’ve made more sense for performances to be done in the home country, with or without audiences.
Travelling during a pandemic……..I don’t get it.
I don’t agree. If the Olympics are planned to go ahead as scheduled with 180 odd countries travelling to Japan in July, I don’t see why this can’t take place as planned (sans audience of course) with the correct travel and event protocols in place.
The worst possible thing the world could do right now is to gather people from every country on earth in the same place, mix them together for a few weeks, and then have them all return to their home countries to spread the virus.