junior eurovision logoDespite implementing some of the strictest measures in the world to combat the spread of swine flu, the Ukrainian government will proceed with plans to host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest on November 21.

On October 30, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko announced stern measures to combat the epidemic, which has already killed 33 people across the country. The government has shut all schools for the next three weeks, banned public gatherings and imposed tough restrictions on travel.

The Prime Minister says the measures were needed because the crisis in Ukraine “has reached the epidemic threshold.” The ban on public gatherings, she said, would affect “all large-scale events, concerts, movie showings and any other gatherings of people for the next three weeks.”

wiwibloggs has learned that this ban will NOT cancel the Junior Eurovision contest. However, given that quarantines are in effect in many parts of the country, wiwibloggs worries that officials will struggle to fill the 30,000-person arena.