Picture: Andres Putting (EBU)

All members of Poland’s delegation at Eurovision 2021 have been placed into quarantine after one of the delegates tested positive for COVID-19.

To stop the spread of COVID-19, all delegates, crew and press at Eurovision 2021 test themselves every 48 hours with rapid tests.

During one of these routine tests of the Polish delegation on Saturday morning, one delegate tested positive for the virus. In accordance with the Health & Safety Protocol of Eurovision 2021, the whole of Poland’s delegation has now been placed in quarantine as a result of the positive COVID-19 test result. They will all be subjected to PCR tests to detect potential additional cases.

The delegate was last in the Eurovision venue on Thursday, when Poland’s singer RAFAŁ undertook the second rehearsal for his song “The Ride”. It is currently unknown which role the person who tested positive has in the delegation.

 

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Poland to sit out Turquoise Carpet on Sunday

The EBU has confirmed in a statement that Poland will not take part in tomorrow’s turquoise carpet event in Rotterdam. They did not comment on RAFAŁ’s upcoming participation in Thursday’s second semi-final and his preceding jury show performance on Wednesday.

A few hours before the news came out, Executive Producer Sietse Bakker told NOS that in the case of a delegate testing positive, the country would be barred from performing on the stage of Ahoy. Instead, in Bakker’s words, they would have to resort to the live-on-tape performances that were recorded prior to coming to the Netherlands.

However, since the news broke, both NOS and Sweden’s Aftonbladet have reported that Poland will use the recording of the second rehearsal instead.

The Polish delegate is not the first COVID-19 case at Eurovision 2021. Although the organisers have managed to keep the artists and press as safe as they could, NOS reported earlier this week that a handful of people had been found to be positive. All positive cases were barred entry to the venue and have been told to go into self-isolation.

The team at wiwibloggs sends well wishes to the Polish delegate and hopes that the rest of the Polish delegation stays safe and healthy for the remainder of the stay!

Read all our Poland news here

74 Comments
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Oy oy
Oy oy
2 years ago

Poland performs as act nr 6, Iceland as nr 8… I hope we won’t hear about covid in the Moldovian delegation (act nr 7) soon?

Errret
Errret
2 years ago

Iceland can’t either

Ángel NF
Ángel NF
2 years ago
Reply to  Errret

Why?

Anke
Anke
2 years ago

Rafal is safe. I believe he’s vaccined. Besides he recovered from Covid a few months ago. Good luck!

CyxCy
CyxCy
2 years ago

Caution and safety above all. In any case the pre-recorded performances are really the great idea of ??this edition. Whatever happens, the country will be able to present its song (as is the case for Australia, Montaigne can’t make the trip). I hope that this idea will stay for the next editions, of course the live performances are better, but it will be useful in circumstances that the organizers think justified.

saara’s soldier
saara’s soldier
2 years ago

Guys, I made a compilation of Deban’s best moments as we miss him in Rotterdam, feel free to check it out!

https://youtu.be/qtcHFQPrkNM

Agent 007
Agent 007
2 years ago

Are we going to see his live-on-tape or the footage from the rehearsals?

Sal
Sal
2 years ago

No loss, terrible song and performance anyway

Mariah
Mariah
2 years ago
Reply to  Sal

you’re such a horrible, obnoxious person
shame on you

Esc fan
Esc fan
2 years ago
Reply to  Sal

Very stupid.what you have said

Sot
Sot
2 years ago

Hope everyone is ok but at least there’s a positive in all of this: we’ll miss all of his cringe facial expressions! Yay…

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
2 years ago

The fact that he and the rest of the delegation had to be quarantined in Rotterdam unlike Montaige who never had to leave Australia is the first place, makes his situation far worse.

Ksenija
Ksenija
2 years ago

publicity stunt? the audience at home won’t even notice something is wrong, they’ll be watching his performance from 2nd rehearsal. the worst publicity stunt ever.

stefjov
stefjov
2 years ago
Reply to  Ksenija

Performance from 2nd rehearsal? I thought they said they will air his live on tape performance..

Last edited 2 years ago by stefjov
Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Sad for Rafal because he is missing a big press event. I am sure that person who tested positive must feel very bad. I guess he/she must have transmitted the virus to other people within the Polish team, usually this is how it works.

Wouldn’t it be risky for Flo Rida to fly from Miami (messy place, they don’t wear masks or keep distances) to Rotterdam?

Samo
Samo
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

It is far from sure that person infected others in Polish delegation, you don’t automatically infect everyone you spend time with (there are many cases of people not even infecting their household members).

Regarding Flo Rida, they don’t wear masks in Sweden or Russia either and Tusse and Manizha are still allowed to participate, so I guess Flo Rida shouldn’t be an issue.

blahh
blahh
2 years ago
Reply to  Samo

have you been to school lately, kid?

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago
Reply to  Samo

Next time you have surgery ask your surgeon to take off that “useless” mask and spit droplets inside your open wound while he talks to his assistants. The infection will feel so great that you’ll never question mask efficiency ever again.

Last edited 2 years ago by Jamie
Samo
Samo
2 years ago
Reply to  Jamie

There is a difference between working with an open wound and using protection by a well-trained medical professional with appropriate settings to put it on vs. using protection by the general public in public spaces. The data so far suggests they made very little difference. We don’t know why, but countries with mask mandates aren’t doing better than ones without them.

MartyMcCu
MartyMcCu
2 years ago
Reply to  Samo

When you have a loved one who died of this you won’t be saying this. I feel sorry for you.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Covid vaccines in the US are free to every citizen aged 16 or older. I would be shocked if Flo Rida isn’t fully vaccinated by now. I’M fully vaccinated and I’m just an average joe. HE meanwhile is a big famous man with easy access to just about anything he wants.

Hélène
Hélène
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

People are using masks in Sweden. It is recommended In many places but according to our laws the police cannot act if you are not wearing one.

Last edited 2 years ago by Hélène
Samo
Samo
2 years ago
Reply to  Hélène

It is recommended in many places but at least here in Stockholm it’s widely ignored and I have yet to encounter a situation where a majority of people have them on. I had the same experience in Malmö and Gothenburg, the only place where mask-wearing was somewhat common was in Norrland.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  Samo

I live in Gothenburg and many people ignore the mask recommendations, only 46 % wear them in public transport (source: GP), even though there are big signs everywhere asking people to wear masks. In grocery stores, almost nobody is wearing masks.

Badwoolfgirl
Badwoolfgirl
2 years ago

I saw the BBC’s Eurovision trailer too. Boy did I roll my eyes at it.

Alvaro
Alvaro
2 years ago

Hoping this is just an isolated case and wishing a fast recovery for the one who tested positive.
And even though Rafa? is not among my favorites, I wish he has at least the chance to perform properly.

Nicky
Nicky
2 years ago
Reply to  Alvaro

then fingers crossed today for some good news out of their pcr tests today

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
2 years ago

I know that his song is one of the least popular and that most poles are not happy he is representing them, but this is still unfortunate for him and his team and i hope they are ok

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
2 years ago

YASS. But then we gonna end up our Ride in Warszawa..

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
2 years ago

Even ERT had a better trailer than BBC imo

Berta
Berta
2 years ago

Dear neighbors sending you good vibes from Ukraine, stay safe and hope to see you on Thursday show

Luk
Luk
2 years ago

Good luck Poland!!!!!

Thanos
Thanos
2 years ago

Hoping everyone is safe and healthy and that Poland will be able to perform during the Eurovision week! Every artist deserves a chance to shine!!!

nycforever
nycforever
2 years ago

OMG I hope that this will be an isolated case and won’t spread on other members of the whole Eurovision process: contestants, staff, etc.

Dawid
Dawid
2 years ago

Maybe dancers. Rafal would rather pray

Dawid
Dawid
2 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Looks like I ruined some fantasions

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

Sending my best wishes to the Polish delegation. Hopefully everything will turn out just fine. They may lost the turquoise carpet, but there’s still hope to see them in the green room.

Maldric
Maldric
2 years ago

definitely things are not going well for Poland.. :/

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Also let’s be honest. these rapid tests are not very reliable which means a positive person might get a neg test..

Candy
Candy
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Which tests do they use?

Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  Candy

rapid covid test

Samo
Samo
2 years ago
Reply to  Candy

Antigen is the default, if it comes positive, they are retested with PCR.

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

That’s why they do a PCR test afterwards. Rapid tests are just precautionary.

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago

Unless there is an All You Can Eat competition in Rotterdam there will be no trophy. The BBC and this person are an absolute disgrace.

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
2 years ago
Reply to  Jofty

That’s so racist from you. You know that what you comment still is visible

pooky1001
pooky1001
2 years ago
Reply to  Jofty

The only disgrace here is the person making this comment.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Curse of Polish fans disliking RAFAL hahahah

His second rehearsal was messy with pyros blocking the camera shots. If they use that, it’s a NQ.

If he was participating in the 1st SF i think it would be safe to say that he wouldn’t perform live but he’s lucky bc until Wednesday everyone will be negative?

Tadhg
Tadhg
2 years ago

All fun and games until someone loses an eye!

sam
sam
2 years ago

maybe they should have sent alicja ….

Chris
Chris
2 years ago
Reply to  sam

Or maybe you should get over the whole eurovision 2020/2021 participants….

Ángel NF
Ángel NF
2 years ago
Reply to  sam

That’s pretty disgusting from you not gonna lie

Zisk
Zisk
2 years ago
Reply to  sam

Haha yeah these people should have gotten a life threatening illness because … a polish broadcaster didn’t stan alicja? Charming.

Ksenija
Ksenija
2 years ago
Reply to  sam

how is your post related to rafal and his team potentially having covid? why do you have to be like that?
i hope no-one else caught the virus and they will be able to perform in their semi

Anne Marie
Anne Marie
2 years ago

That‘s what they have to say lol

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
2 years ago

Can’t they just fix a test before tomorrow evening? What’s the point keeping them quarantined from the point they get a negative result back.

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Because the rapid tasts are not accurate. They need to be quarantined until they receive more accurate results from a PCR test.

Dawid
Dawid
2 years ago
Reply to  Jamie

PCR tests take up to 4 hours po perform, with all preparations. I mean, if you aren’t in hurry.

eha
eha
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Because tests can come back false negative when you have just got covid.
That’s why they need to wait longer, to be sure.

Roelof M
Roelof M
2 years ago

Even tho this entry is far from my qualifiers list, I really, sincerely hope that Rafal gets to perform in SF 2. It would be such a bummer if the Polish delegation came all this way to Rotterdam for nothing. I’m also wishing a speedy recovery to the delegate that got sick!

Ksenija
Ksenija
2 years ago
Reply to  Roelof M

it wouldn’t be for nothing. if they are positive (and let’s hope they aren’t) their 2nd rehearsal footage will be used, europe will see them performing on stage.

Last edited 2 years ago by Ksenija
Somebody
Somebody
2 years ago

Infected by Krystian Ochman curse.

Lalaland
Lalaland
2 years ago

Is it bad that I, being Polish, would rather Rafal didn’t perform? However, I’m obviously wishing them all the best, especially when their health is at stake.

Last edited 2 years ago by Lalaland
AdD
AdD
2 years ago
Reply to  Lalaland

Not really. You’re not wishing harm upon anybody.

eha
eha
2 years ago
Reply to  Lalaland

Even if Rafael got covid,
they would use the clip from 2nd rehearsal

Dawid
Dawid
2 years ago
Reply to  Lalaland

Yeah, pretty bad. I’m still mad that he got picked but I simply ignore him and focus on entries I do enjoy.

Ksenija
Ksenija
2 years ago
Reply to  Lalaland

polish people really don’t like this guy 😀 i don’t know the reason but it’s kind of hilarious. i have yet to see a pole who supports their entry or is at least neutral about it lol

#pioneer
#pioneer
2 years ago
Reply to  Ksenija

I’m Polish and even if the guy is not among my favourite singers, I wish him well 😀 (and I also like the 80s-styled sound in the song’s instrumental)

Monia
Monia
2 years ago
Reply to  Ksenija

I’m Polish too, I wasn’t happy with the fact he’s representing our country and thought the song will be a huge crap… but it turned out to be not so bad 😀

Euro Fan
Euro Fan
2 years ago

I am disappointed that this years’ Eurovision in a difficult situation! I hope Rafal will test negative for second semi final! Fingers crossed!

Darren
Darren
2 years ago

I’m howling right now!!!!!!!!
That tickled me

Darren
Darren
2 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Love how any article about Poland we always throw in the innuendo lol

Darren
Darren
2 years ago

Speedy recovery and best wishes to Rafal and the rest of the Polish delegation.
Especially the two handsome back up dancers.
Unfortunate situation for all involved and hopefully won’t impact on their participation on Thursday.

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

I hope that Rafal tests negative, along with the rest of his crew, so they could fulfull their dream of going live on Eurovision. Fingers crossed! I am sorry for the person who tested positive, and I wish them a speedy and painless recovery. I hope they were careful enough, and that the virus didn’t spread. Hope to see Rafal performing on Thursday. Best of health to everyone!

...
...
2 years ago

I feel bad for them…