Up to 3,500 people will be allowed this year’s Eurovision Song Contest as part of a trial to see how to open venues during the pandemic, the Dutch government has stated.
Last year’s edition was cancelled as Europe is struggling with the throes of the first wave of the pandemic. This year’s game is to be held in Rotterdam from May 18 to 22 following Dutch singer Duncan Laurence’s victory in the 2019 championship.
The size of the audience is expected will be reliant on the epidemiological situation at the time, the state has said. Spectators will also have to follow limitations, including giving a negative COVID-19 test.
Eurovision organiser EBU has embraced the news
“We will consider the opportunities now available and announce more details in the upcoming weeks on how we can safely admit patrons to the Ahoy venue in Rotterdam should the situation allow.
The health and safety of all the people attending the event remain our top priority.”
“As previously announced, all delegations as well as production crew will be attending a strict protocol and would also not come in contact with potential members of the public under any circumstances,” it added in a statement.
Two “FieldLab” trials have now been included in the Netherlands. Last month, more than 1,300 were ready to encourage performance and 5,000 were left to watch a global football match.
Media Minister Arie Slob announced that “with the models we can learn from FieldLab, we hope we can take new steps towards a culture in which more can be done.”
Similar trials are also held in Spain, where 5,000 people were allowed to attend a rock concert last weekend.
The Netherlands is currently under national lockdown with hospitality businesses and cultural venues closed. Other restrictions are also in place to battle the third wave of the pandemic in Europe include a nighttime curfew, a prohibition on companies and international travel
Last week, more than 51,800 cases are confirmed – up from 46,000 the week before. According to official figures, the number of deaths attributed to the pandemic also rose to 317 from 223 the previous week.
The country of 17.2 million people are coming by March 28 managed 1.7 million COIVD jabs, with 700,000 people fully preserved.