Eurovision can go ahead with limited audience, Dutch organisers say
The Ahoy in Rotterdam will host the contest. Photo: Ahoy Rotterdam via Wikimedia Commons
There will be an audience at this year’s Eurovision Song Festival event in Rotterdam in May, the organisers have confirmed.
Government officials have agreed to use the contest, which involves 39 countries, as a further test to monitor how larger events can be organized safely during the pandemic.
All nine shows – six rehearsals, two semi finals and the final – can be attended by a maximum of 3,500 people – all of whom must have a valid negative test result to be allowed in.
Dutch government allows reduced audience at Eurovision 2021
Dutch government allows reduced audience at Eurovision 2021
Audience entering the venue for the Grand Final of Eurovision 2019. Photo: Andres Putting
There will be fysical audience present at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam Ahoy in May. Dutch state broadcaster NOS confirms this news on Thursday. The Dutch government has allowed the contest to be organised as a so-called field lab, a practical test to investigate how larger events can take place in a safe and responsible manner with an audience.
At all nine shows – six rehearsals, two semifinals and the final – a maximum of 3,500 spectators can be present at a time. They must have a negative corona test result to get in. 3,500 people per show is about half the number expected at a time last year.
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