Shortly after 15:00 CET on 13 March, the European Broadcasting Union published the following statement regarding the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Eurovision 2020.
EBU Statment on the Coronavirus / COVID-19 and Eurovision 2020
“The EBU is closely monitoring the situation concerning the spread of the coronavirus and keeping abreast of the latest advice and guidelines from the WHO and national health authorities.
We are working closely with Dutch Host Broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS and the City of Rotterdam to explore different potential scenarios for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.
However, with 2 months to go until the 3 live shows on 12, 14 and 16 May, and a rapidly changing situation both in the Netherlands and the countries of the participating broadcasters, it is still too early to make any final decisions.
With this in mind, we’re continuing to work together as a team on preparations to host the 65th Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam”.
Eurovision 2020 and the Coronavirus pandemic
The EBU’s statement comes two days after the World Health Organisation (WHO) labelled the coronavirus a pandemic and one day after several European countries, including the Netherlands, introduced sweeping measures in a bid to delay the spread of the virus.
Rotterdam’s mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb has previously said that he wants any decision to cancel the Eurovision Song Contest to be made by April 5 or 6 — the date that organisers plan to start building the Eurovision 2020 stage inside the Rotterdam Ahoy.
Aboutaleb was speaking to regional news station RTV Rijnmond, shortly after the Dutch government announced a series of new restrictions meant to curb the spread of coronavirus on Thursday. He also confirmed that staging Eurovision without an audience remains an option.
The Netherlands: Coronavirus Restrictions
The Netherlands has imposed a ban on gatherings of more than 100 people as it works to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced this and a series of other restrictions during a press conference on Thursday afternoon. Colleges and universities have been told to offer lectures online as much as possible. Concerts have been cancelled. And all football matches — from the amateur ranks to the Premier League — have been called off for the rest of the month. By the end of Thursday two of the country’s national treasures — The Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum — shut their doors. The Anne Franke House will also close to visitors to comply with the rules.
The restrictions will remain in place until March 31. Naturally this has raised questions about whether Eurovision 2020 will take place. The fact that the restrictions have an end date suggests the government will pause to assess what is a very unpredictable situation.
What’s clear, though, is that on Thursday the number of new coronavirus infections in the Netherlands rose by 22% from a day earlier, bringing the total to 614. The Prime Minister justified the restrictions in the name of public health. He told journalists: “An important goal of the phased approach is to prevent such a peak in infections that would result in the hospitals being overwhelmed.”
Will Eurovision 2020 take place despite coronavirus?
It’s an open question whether Eurovision will take place. For now, major events set for the Netherlands this May — including Eurovision, the Invictus Games and the Dutch Grand Prix — remain on the calendar.
But Rotterdam’s mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb made it clear that “it’s still too early” to make a decision regarding Eurovision.
“The government’s measures are in place at least until end of March. This means that between the end of March and May 16, we still have seven weeks.”
“For me the final day [to make a decision] is the moment we start to build up the stage. At that moment you have to clarify: will it take place or not? We have two options. The EBU and Avrotros can decide about organising or not. If their decision contradicts the medical advice I get, and in my opinion we have to cancel, I have to take my responsibility. But it’s too early for that now.”
When asked about whether Eurovision could take place but without an audience, he said that is an option. He added that that is not his decision to take. That decision falls with Said Kasmi, the city councillor who oversees tourism.
Youtube livestreams
If plan B does happen, I think the production still can have an audience present just virtually. If all the Eurovision fans turn on their webcam and let the broadcaster switch between cam feeds, and have multiple cam feeds at once, and even have their sound feeds… You could still have an audience experience.
Could that be done technically?
The situation is unpredictable, it’s changing rapidly, and no one knows what to wait for. If virus doesn’t go off until April, to me, the best decision is to skip one year and start everything from the scratch in 2021 (with new artists and songs). Heath and safety are above everything.
I assume Rotterdam is in complete lockdown, yes? With all events scheduled for Ahoy (between now and Eurovision) being postponed or canceled, now might be a good time to scrub the place down from the inside out, with only authorized personnel in the arena. New York City is doing the same twice a day, on every train running. If they have to postpone the contest until summer, that should be no problem at all. The next Eurovision season doesn’t begin until September.
Nowadays Eurovision season doesn’t even begin until December so if they can manage somehow to postpone it to a later date, I’m all for it.
Just postpone it or find an alternative delivery of the process of broadcasting ie perform from ones own country . The latter is more practical Fans here are more concerned about themselves going to the venue rather than what the Eurovision stands for and why the EBU has it in the first place. Don’t call out to cancel it because you can not go. 10,000 fans in the arena or 100,000,000 viewers at home which is more important? CGI has its wonders you know and technology can deliver a great show from the Netherlands.. The EBU respects the fans ,… Read more »
The problem with postponing is that the next winner won’t get a full year to plan the next edition. Like someone else suggested, skipping a year would be better. Have it in the NL in 2021. Problem with that is that they have to clear the schedule for AHOY and everyone involved. If they go for the “most cost effective for the Netherlands” solution they may do an audience free show. Maybe they can bring the artists in just a couple at the time and let them record in AHOY. Dunno. Every solution sucks. But let’s at least hope we… Read more »
Oh my god. So much drama.
Just cancel it now, and let it happen with an audience in Rotterdam whenever “troubled waters” blink blink V. Crone, are calm again!
Why can’t we make Eurovision in August, for example?
no first waste more money, fun for more protests later on
and then cancel it, cancel it for good, i mean ESC won’t make new superstars like Ariana grande, harry styles, madonna, Britney spears anyway
I think you’re missing the point of Eurovision. Since when is it about producing superstars?
the idea to waint until april to take any decision about eurovision in rotterdam seems a real wickedness. All countries involved in the competition are taking drastic restrictions to avoid worst conseguences in the future. from north to south, west to east, competitions, shows, fairs or important events are postponed, football matches as well. and they still wait… and works are proceeding, but at what risk?? a show without audience in an empty arena? everybody hope this situation will change soon but after a month the sense of insecurity will be present, the better thing dutch tv and ebu could… Read more »
Surely it’s less of a concern for the artists and more for the live audience. I’m sure with planning the artists can maintain social distancing but the audience would be far more problematic – coming and going from all over Europe in close proximity to each other all the time. Test the artists before they leave their countries and then quarantine them in hotels.
My bet is Rotterdam goes ahead without an audience. I’m sure members of the EBU weren’t watching the Danish selection for the quality of the songs this year.
This is wishful thinking since none of us want to face the thought that ESC could actually be cancelled, but if Dutch health officials and the EBU are proactive, I don’t see why it can’t go ahead without an audience at the very least. – Send out official announcements to all competing countries that anyone who is travelling to the contest as part of a delegation or in any other capacity must self isolate either two weeks before arriving into Rotterdam or for two weeks upon arriving in Rotterdam and that in order to be able to be involved in… Read more »
Many thanks to William, Deban, Robyn, Padraig, Aengus and everyone involved in wiwibloggs for keeping us entertained and distracted at a time that is very worrying and frightening for alot of people. We all have to take care of our mental health and well-being right now and wiwibloggs is playing an important role in that regard by giving us a positive focus. My sincerest best wishes to you all and your families at this time and to everyone out there. Coronavirus will pass and there will be many eurovisions ahead of us all.
I have a few minor niggles with this site, but the coverage and information they are giving us is excellent. Clear consice information delivered professionally and with gravitas. Hats off to the team!
According to an employee of the Slovenian broadcaster, plan B is apparently broadcasting all performances in their own country’s studio. As a Dutch fan I’m kind of devastated (and so are many others here). There seems to be no ideal solution. If this plan B happens to be true, we won’t see any festive opening ceremony on the Golden Carpet, no rehearsal week with (fan) press livestreams, no interviews with the artists (NikkieTutorials), no parties in the city with guests from all over the world, no postcards which have been executed as intended, no fun interactions between the hosts and… Read more »
This is going to be so problematic because it’s so unfair. Just look at the national selections, smaller and poorer countries with smaller budgets such as Moldova do not have the money or resources to stage a performance of the same quality as Sweden or Germany for example. Especially in this day and age, where staging is as important as ever.
I’m a Brit that used to live in the Netherlands (late 2000s) and I have a lot of fondness for the place and my time there. I remember all those frustrating years of non qualification and always fantastized about them winning and having the experience in Rotterdam. I was making plans to actually go and the show was shaping up to be perfect, with many people I admire involved (and to catch up with my friends over there). Now it seems this horrible disease is taking over everything! Selfishly, I would rather they postpone it until autumn or even next… Read more »
Because of all the things you said, I believe postponement is the wisest thing to do at this point. It’s absurd to keep the schedule just for the sake of the tv broadcast and sacrifice all the rest. The rest is immense, and you listed it just right. It’s unfair for all the effort that you guys had put in organising ESC. Let’s do it in July or August!
It could all still be very exciting when it comes to the voting, which can of course take place as normal. And boy will we need that excitement and entertainment when and if the time comes.
Why ESC can’t be postponed to a later date? ….like maybe in august/june/july or September?? I understand that they aleeady planned everything and people booked the hotels but still. Esc should be this year, no matter what i means withou audience but still in Holland not in studio in own country …I don’t know, it all depends on weather and responsibily of people ….Take care, be responsible…
I think it’s looking like all the songs will be performed live in each performer’s own country. The hosts in Rotterdam will be the central link, with no arena or big stage. It won’t be the contest as we know it, but it will still be a contest. Perhaps Jeangu will win and Rotterdam can do it all again next year, this time properly.
It’s a song contest after all and I think EBU will have no other option because of the ban travels that may still occur even if they decided a no audience in Rotterdam. Countries will provide a live performance that can even be recorded prior to prevent technical issues and will be broadcast on the planned nights. Results will be announced live in Rotterdam.
The countries would need to Open Up their borders first, otherwise the delegation won’t be even able to travel there.
Seriously in my country there’s a lot less infected people than in the Netherlands and yet we have a ban on gatherings of 30 and more people. The restrictions are harsh (although different in each country) and that’s why I don’t think there would be any pre-parties this year. I really hope EBU will find a right solution.
Doing it in an empty arena wouldn’t work because I’m pretty sure a lot of the funding comes from ticket revenue. Postponing it would cause all sorts of problems so I think the only choice is to cancel it for this year. Rotterdam should keep it for next year, however each country will have to have an original song again, so that’s a big disappointment for the songwriters, artists etc.
As much as I love Eurovision, health comes before a song contest!
It’s easy to solve. All the last two winners were the ones who had the most Youtube views on the Eurovision channel. Just crown the 2020 winner as the song having the most views. Ladies and Gentlemen we already have a winner and in less than 24 hours <3
My God you really are the idiot you try to appear so hard!
views can be bought easily. doesn‘t make sense.
I’ve seen a lot of comments saying that it’s a shame this is happening while it’s the turn of the Netherlands to host but from another perspective we could say at least this is happening while the Netherlands is hosting. As a well-organised, well-resources cohesive team who are dedicated to and passionate about hosting Eurovision, I feel most confident in their ability to make Eurovision work as best as possible in difficult circumstances. If we were at the same point now in 2017, with the mass resignations before Kyiv, then it’s likely the Contest would have been cancelled. If we… Read more »
Maybe they should just hold it on the radio and families can sit around and listen like it’s the 1930s!! Staging won’t have an impact!
Open up = Cancell it !
Completely off topic: Russia’s entry is #20 trending on Youtube in Israel
I find it insane but probably due to the large Russian/East European community here
It’s trending #12 in Germany
#1 in Russia and CIS countries as well
Reached #12 in Israel xD
Going higher and higher
Doing it in an empty arena wouldn’t work because I’m pretty sure a lot of the funding comes from ticket revenue. Postponing it would cause all sorts of problems so I think the only choice is to cancel it for this year. Rotterdam should keep it for next year, however each country will have to have an original song again, so that’s a big disappointment for the songwriters, artists etc.
As much as I love Eurovision, health comes before a song contest!
If it comes to the worst (after all we’re talking about people’s health) – why don’t they just postpone it for year and let the Netherlands host the contest in 2021? The 2020-songs will mature like a good wine!
I hope so too
The Netherlands deserve to host and the artists deserve to participate as planned
Or just Rotterdam 2021 with new songs? Or are you suggesting countries skip selection season to focus on more than one year old songs who by then will be forgotten? Who would watch that, honestly?
What ? with 80% boring songs this year. LOL. We will be even more bored hearing them for one year.
At this point I don`t think Eurovision will go ahead as normal and it looks like it will be cancelled. I still think eliminating the audience is the best option but second best to it is just postponing the contest. If it comes to that and it will be postponed to 2021, Rotterdam should remain the host city and national broadcasters should have the right to either change their entry for 2021 or keep it and not hold a national final.
Well even if virus will disapear it can show us also next year in janury to march – u never know, I think our planet give us “thinking” about our behaviour to the planet, from australian fire, to iceberg melting to koronavirus …we need stop actink like everything is good when it isnt 🙂
I think it will be cancelled and Rotterdam will be back next year. If this is the case what do you think will happen with the artists that already been selected this year? Will they perform next year? It is kind of underwhealming. The same thing but one year too late.
I cant stand these songs one more year…would be too boring,
Open up your masks!
just an idea – maybe they should cancel the ESC in May – instead they should do that event together with the Junior Eurovision. Netherlands and Poland should work together. The JESC / ESC combo should be held in October for 3 weeks. The first week the JESC should take place and the last 2 weeks the ESC. 1 venue with all the high tech.
Netherlands waited 40 years for this. Then they don’t get the chance to host it 🙁
I’m gonna hold on
When no one believes
I’ll keep the faith
And I know that we’re in trouble
But I swear that we’ll survive
If we were deep sea divers
And no one came to find us
If you had nothing left
I’d give youRovision my last breath
You’d probably be safe from the virus if you were a deep sea diver!
Ive just cancelled my airBnB and i ll see for the two tickets i bought …. ESC 2020 will be canceled stop dreaming of an other issue… only in our esc fans minds this event is so important and has to take place absolutely…. this is the true…. no esc 2020 guys 🙁 see you next year
(By the other way it was the first edition where i litteraly dont truelly loved a single song so my pain is not that big)
its gonna be unlikely if it gets cancelled. The media is blowing this out of porportion
How come whenever I try to comment my thoughts on this the post doesn’t go through? This is the third time I tried where it did not show. I’m not cussing or using improper language or anything so I don’t understand why it keeps not going through.
I keep trying to say that the songs should air in may remotely without competing against each other and that rotterdam should host next year and that the singers can all compete next year with new songs. i don’t know why wiwibloggs won’t put up the comments whenever I talk about this.
Same. My comments usually appear half a day later.
Will they press ESC on ESC?
I think an alternative that everyone is overlooking is having Eurovision this year in May, but NOT having it be a competition. Just have all the countries pre-record their performances at home. Turn ESC this year into a compilation of this year’s songs, pre-recorded interval acts, songs by popular dutch artists, and songs by previous contestants. Make ESC this year into a celebration of music with the primary focus on promoting artists across Europe. Forget about voting or a winner, JUST for this year. Next year, Rotterdam can host in 2021. Yet this year’s contestants compete next year with a… Read more »
Esc in Rotterdam go to be cancel ,is clear .sadly
I get chills when I hear the word “cancel”
Cancelling Eurovision would be the gag of the century. So unprecedented and never heard of that the possibility of it doesn`t even feel real.
OFF TOPIC
Spain CANCELS their pre party this year
That is the smart thing to do. Honestly, they should call off all of the pre-parties.
Can’t they simply skip this year and postpone it for May 2021? And every country can do what Russia did after their 2017 ban: send the same artist they picked for 2020 with a different song. So all the artists will still have the chance to compete and, hopefully, come up with better songs!
I think talk about moving the contest up is only among fans, I don’t think it is a viable solution for EBU. By autumn they are to occupied with JESC and Young Musicians and I don’t think they want these to clash. And you know it is a logistical night mare as well. People have their schedules available in May for Eurovision. Nothing speaks they will be available at a later date. And assuming ESC 2021 will take place in May, the host broadcaster would have to rush through the process,,
So for now, keep calm and carry on!
who cares about JESC??….I’m proud I’ve never watched it!
You may not. But EBU cares about it, Poland who is hosting it cares about it. And they are not letting both events collide
The Giro of Italia who should have started on may 9th has already been postponed.
A complete ESC without an audience will not happen in may if things do not get a lot better. And that means that the virus has to be stopped in about three weeks. Even without an audience there still will be thousands of people involved, wich is currently not allowed. And a majority of countries will cancel anyway. All performing countries are all fighting the virus or are afraid of the virus,. So we’ll probably end up with 12 competing countries, I think the only realistic option is no ESC in 2020 and going to Rotterdam in 2021. Or every… Read more »
Or a voting online? Each country must perform the song live on a stage though in their home country, no music video.
Milla, I think that is a reasonable idea however you would have to consider the fairness of all countries as some would not be able to create as grand stages as others…like San Marino for example
True. They would have to make it fair somehow.
I think by mid April this should start to calm down for Europe at least and Eurovision could run totally fine
Don’t be naive please. Best case scenario is that everything will calm down in 3-4 months.
There’s nothing else we can do besides following WHO’s advices, taking care of our loved ones, avoiding to feed public panic and hoping for the best. It’s natural to speculate what will happen (I believe we’re all anxious about it), but we’ll have to wait and see how the situation will be in April 6th, the deadline given by Rotterdam’s mayor. There’s a chance it still won’t be safe to hold Eurovision in May even with an audience, having in mind that the delegations and the production team also need to be protected (and that this people could unintentionally take… Read more »
A correction: Even withOUT an audience.
If the decision for Eurovision would be in favor of holding it in an empty arena, I’d no longer be sad for Dotter and Erika’s NQ.
I can’t imagine my queens in a vacant stadium when the audience could have sung along with them and elevate the atmosphere to next level.
Nah, but I would’ve loved to see audience showing them support. I don’t mind them singing along generic ballads, which forms the majority of the contest.
You’re all talking about holding it with empty arena, but why I feel like they will cancel the whole thing on April 6 due to the extension of travel ban and there are still many people involved even we have no audience
There s a big opportunity to do it with a small audience 99 people. And to let europe join together from their living rooms all separate but united for 3 hours. Online and social it will be fun. And it is some much needed unity in these horrible times. It coupd even be a great thing to feel altogether.
If you add the number of all participants, their delegations, stage crew and all other necessary personel, you have way over 100 people. So I’m not sure about additional audience of 99 people 😀
I think holding it with an empty arena is probably the least-worst option available. I know it won’t be great for those who’ve booked tickets (I was planning on going, but I’ve got a wedding in the UK the day before the final), and for airlines & local businesses, but public health is the most important thing of all here. It’ll look weird, much like DMGP looked odd last weekend with no audience in the arena, but it’s worth remembering that Eurovision is primarily a TV event. It could also present a creative challenge for everyone to try and ensure… Read more »
Eurovision without an audience might turn out to be a historic experience where a thing or two could even be learned about how good performances could look when viewers can see them fully. I feel like the only people talking excessively about a delay are in this comments section. The EBU won’t and shouldn’t go for it. An empty arena is not the end of the world. Other examples show it can even be fun.
No wide shots ruining the TV viewing. Would be a great experience.
Plus with no one allowed to go out to bars etc., viewing figures will probably improve. People suggesting shows in summer have no clue.
And no annoying (sometimes huge) flags in between.
The London, Amsterdam and Madrid pre-parties must surely have already been cancelled? The build-up is already being affected – I think it’s best for everyone to start thinking seriously about pushing this back to August/September when hopefully the peak will have past but before the next flu season starts again.
Under the circumstances, I think holding ESC without a live audience could be the least-worst option. It’s an event that’s made for TV, after all, though I will of course have sympathy for ticket holders who will no longer be able to go, and then there are also so many affected businesses to consider. Ultimately, public health is the most important concern. If it means the arena looks empty, like what they did at DMGP last weekend, then so be it. Not great, but it’s probably the best solution to a really tricky problem.
While we all don’t want a cancelation of the whole thing, delaying this at a later date within the year seems more acceptable. Things will have to be adjusted such as reserving all the venues for Eurovillage, the gold carpet, and of course including Ahoy. Just do what is necessary because even performing inside an empty arena in May doesn’t seem like a viable option anymore.
All the best.
An empty arena is a much more viable option then changing the date, you really undersold the logistical nightmare that would be, there would be so much to change, not to mention some acts probably wouldn’t be able to commit (they’ve probably already been planning what to do after May)
We might want a full and buzzing arena even if later in the year more, but it’s not more viable than an empty arena. Nonetheless let’s hope there still able to put on the show like normal.
I was more in the thinking that by pushing it later in the, Europe would have alreadyseen the pandemic reached its peak then finally recovering.
If it were still be held in May with an empty arena, the problem I see here is that there could still be carriers among people working BTS in the weeks leading to the scheduled dates. We wouldn’t want the show’s manpower resources getting compromised and risk performers of infection, do we?
I think it’s too late to move it later in the year, everywhere will be booked and the EBU has to start thinking about JESC in the autumn. Also, if ESC is moved later in the year then it allows less time for the winning country to organise the contest for next May.
EBU also has its Young Musicians competitions in Zagreb this August. I can see a possible clash, among other possible issues, but surely, they have contingency plans on how they could pull this off.
good. I hope everything goes smoothly.