The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place in Rotterdam on the 12th, 14th and 16th of May, meaning that the first delegations are expected to arrive in the host city from the 1st of May. Our friends at ESCKaz report that due to an initiative of Geert Koster from the Livable Rotterdam movement, the City of Rotterdam will discuss today how this year’s Contest is going to proceed due to the Coronavirus situation all over Europe.

Mr. Geert Koster stated:

If the City of Rotterdam simply allows the competition to take place in its usual form, it will consciously take the risk of developing an infection. Safety should be guaranteed for all visitors, but I absolutely can not imagine its implementation with the current state of affairs.

Having a contest without spectators is not a solution to the problem, because large groups of people from different countries will still be present – members of delegations, representatives of the media, these are several thousand people, these are the same risks as with a full hall.

Koster also added that he believes that the Contest should be delayed until fall, or simply rescheduled for next year.

The Mayor of Rotterdam, Mr. Ahmed Aboutaleb faces a total of 13 questions about possible risks Eurovision can bring, and in case if six or more are answered positively at today’s meeting, the event can be canceled. As minimal measures, installation of additional toilets with soap and water, installation of thermal imagers and banning the entry of people with fever or signs of a viral infection will be considered.

Stay tuned for more information to come.