Participants of Eurovision 2021 won’t be obliged to get vaccinated!
Couple of days ago executive supervisor of the Eurovision 2021, Sietse Bakker has revealed that the decision of the scenario under which the contest this year is going to take place will be revealed in four to five weeks.
On 18th of September EBU and Dutch Host Broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS revealed the four scenarios that are being considered to make the Eurovision Song Contest possible.
Scenario A: A normal Eurovision Song Contest
In this situation, the Eurovision Song Contest will be organized as normal from Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena with 9 shows (including the dress rehearsals) in a packed venue, with delegations and artists from all the participating broadcasters and numerous activities in and around Rotterdam.
The feasibility of this scenario largely depends on the roll-out of a possible vaccine for COVID-19 or the availability of reliable testing.
Scenario B: Socially distant Eurovision Song Contest – at 1.5 meters
Everyone present at the Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam would need to practice social distancing and remain 1.5 meters from each other at all times. Again, there would be 9 shows, with an audience in the arena, but with limited capacity to allow for social distancing. Teams from each participating broadcaster would travel to Rotterdam, but with limits on the number of people in each delegation and on the number of press who could attend. Activities in and around Rotterdam would be adapted accordingly.
Because there would be less space for the audience in this scenario, a new seating layout would have to be made. If that happens, a fair draw will be held to decide who can still attend each show. There will be more information about this in the first months of 2021. Anyone who is unsuccessful in the draw will, of course, be refunded the full purchase amount for their tickets.
Scenario C: A Eurovision Song Contest with travel restrictions
A bit similar to the scenario B with 9 shows and a limited number of audience members in the arena. But with a big difference that all the on-site activities are going to be done virtually and If there are any delegations who cannot travel to Rotterdam, their artists will perform from their own country. All performances in the shows will be brought together in Rotterdam. The entries of the countries that are allowed to travel and the opening and interval acts will also be performed live.
Scenario D: Eurovision Song Contest in lockdown
If the Netherlands ends up in a lockdown again, there will be a Eurovision Song Contest without an audience and without activities in and around Rotterdam. All the on-site activities are going to be done virtually. All participants will be performing from their home countries and they will be similar to the ones which we already experienced for Junior Eurovision 2020.
According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, the final decision is expected to be announced in the beginning of February in addition to that through the conversation they had with executive supervisor of this years contest Sietse Bakker, De Telegraaf revealed the status of the vaccination for Eurovision artists.
“Mandating or not requiring vaccination is really a political choice, not ours. Of course we hope that as many people as possible will get that injection.”
Sietse Bakker for De Telegraaf
Bakker also added “As is known, at the Eurovision Song Contest we are prepared with four different scenarios for every possible situation in which the Netherlands finds itself in May 2021. The Eurovision Song Contest will continue anyway, we expect to make a final decision for a scenario at the beginning of February. We will take this based on the situation then, but also on the basis of the perspective towards May.”
Which scenario would you like to see this years contest unveils at and what do you think it will happen in the end let us know in the comments below and at our social media links!
