On March 13 organisers of both Israel Calling in Tel Aviv and the PrePartyES in Madrid announced they were cancelling their events as the world continues to battle the spread of coronavirus. Now the organisers of the London Eurovision Party have updated worried fans who are worried about the status of the event in London.
Writing on Twitter, organisers released a statement outlining the uncertainty in the UK. They’ve advised their followers that they are working with the venue (Café de Paris) and are following the government’s advice to ensure the safety of patrons. The situation in the UK is — as they rightly describe — “fluid”, so the team are asking for patience.
This comes after an announcement from Eurovision contenders The Roop from Lithuania saying they’d cancelled all pre-party appearances. The Lithuanian trio are staying safe to ensure they can perform in May.
A statement from us regarding #LEP2020 #eurovision pic.twitter.com/LtaPcMiZlS
— London Eurovision (@LDNEurovision) March 13, 2020
All eyes on Amsterdam
Given that more and more governments are introducing restrictions on travel, flights and public events, it seems likely that more artists will have to make tough decisions in the weeks ahead. It’s likely that more artists will withdraw from events even if they aren’t cancelled.
Questions loom over another big party, too. We are still waiting a statement from Eurovision in Concert, which is due to be held in Amsterdam on April 4. That’s just four days after The Netherlands plans to lift its ban on large gatherings. This timeframe of those restrictions could be extended, given how the virus is spreading.
We can’t be sure of how the virus will affect the contest in May. But the EBU is proceeding with their plans as if the contest is happening. The mayor of Rotterdam wants a final decision by April 6th on whether the show will go on. And naturally eager fans are hoping to know soon so they can arrange or re-arrange their travel plans.
For detailed information about the coronavirus/COVID-19 and how to stay healthy, please visit The World Health Organisation web site.
No wonder some scientists are renaming the UK “control group” in relation to measuring the rest of Europe’s response to this coronavirus.
Just cancel it for God’s sake…
I apologise. I wrote something here, but I now regret writing it. It has been overwritten.
You were right though.
Cancel the party UK. This virus is dangerous. Here in Italy the situation it’s so hard. Close everything for 2 weeks just like here in Italy. Don’t underestimate the virus.
The UK government is now proposing a ban on large gatherings (to ease the strain on public services, not because it would slow down the disease, if anyone’s interested in these things), so I guess that’s that.
The UK government will only be saying that now (in a complete U turn from their position yesterday) because the British people and British companies are acting on their own initiative against government advice, such as voluntary travel bans, working from home, stockpiling shopping essentials, planned university closures, stopping the London marathon, the Football Association following UEFA guidelines, these things are all happening despite and regardless of the government advice. In that way, it looks like the UK government will be catching up with its public. The London Eurovision Party organisers need to go ahead only if they think (with… Read more »
I suspect they’re doing it to keep the public’s trust, because the public (rightly or wrongly) is perceiving them to be slow to act. I don’t think they’ve been considering this measure harmful, only unnecessary. But there’s less harm in enacting it than losing the public’s trust and compliance.
I agree with you. All governments are acting in ways that are politically expedient as well as to protect public health.
The other factor is they don’t want to cancel public gatherings too soon. All the medical advice is the peak is 10 weeks away. They are (quite rightly) worried that most people won’t have the patience to isolate for that length of time and will start disobeying the guidance at the crucial time. The more I think about it, the more I realise how bad this is going to get for a long time. Hold on, people!
It’s a horrible position for organisers to be in. They have to put a downpayment on the venue and it’s not cheap. I hope Cafe de Paris does what is right and REFUNDS THE DEPOSIT.
Although, to be fair, venues like that are also under extreme economic pressure right now. It’s horrible for everyone involved.
Well, Europe sees one option and the UK government must take the opposite path. They should cancel the London party for the sake of contestants, fans, and the organisers themselves. Or they will follow their laughable government’s advice and go ahead with the event for the sake of the economy and to let “the virus pass through”.
Take care of yourselves, London! In our hearts.
I only see one option, to be very honest…
Eurovision in September
I don’t know what the hell is happening in Europe right know; here in Italy the situation is really hard and thousands people died for Corona, and is getting harder in Spain and France too, but a lot of country doesn’t want to take care immediately of their health situation, trying to not reach our level. Are everybody bonkers? They have the chance to save a lot of life but they just want to “go on” and look.
I don’t know how I can articulate this more clearly: We music people and fans are not the UK authorities (with maybe one or two small exceptions). There is nothing we can do about it, except get on with our lives. If we want to vent, we have Twitter and Change petitions for that. But debating UK actions generally on Wiwibloggs is seemingly rather pointless, right?
Best of luck to London Eurovision Party organisers.
It is extremely frustrating. The Dutch prime minister still refuses to order all schools to close. Doctors around the world have raised the alarm that every non-essential building should be closed and that countries need to go in lockdown to slow down the virus. This lax attitude is gonna cost a lot of lives.
From midnight last night in Belgium all of the restaurants are closed. What the owners did? They had to sell all of the food and beer so quickly. What they have done? They put adverts on social media: buy one beer second you get for free. Results? Restaurants full of customers, busy like never before cause it’s the last time they can meet in next 3 weeks… We should to start with ourselves as first and be more clever than the governments, but you can see that even in this situation nobody cares. Benelux gonna be second Italy… Just wait… Read more »
In what way is closing schools an effective measure? Children don’t transfer the disease in the extent grown ups do, children don’t get as severe symptoms as grown ups. Add to that the parents of these children working on hospitals. They are forced to stay home with healthy kids. Closing schools should wait until it’s acutually a necessary action. And yes, Italy might be there
They don’t know enough about the virus yet to be able to say that children don’t transfer the virus as much. Most infected children don’t get sick, but some do. There’s a 16-year-old boy in the intensive care here. Children can also infect their parents and teachers.
Thank you Lucy and Wiwibloggs for keeping us informed. It is very helpful.
So it seems the British have the least amount of common sense out of any other country. There is no ban on mass gatherings, schools are still open and the only thing we’re being told is to “wash our hands”. Apparently we’re following scientific advice…what about logic!?
This post is about the London Eurovision Party. Why do you wish to start a wider debate about UK measures here? Use Twitter or the BBC comments section for that, please.
Because we care about you ?
Awww. Thank you.
We must be in real trouble then. Oh dear.
Not if they have your positive vibes, Purple 🙂
Haha, thanks. Ooo, is that now a double entendre? Since “positive” also means infected? 😮 Even our daily language is changing. But don’t worry, I will take every case in isolation. Doh!
Sorry the question mark was supposed to be a love heart
Awww. Hugs, but not literally.
Lol 🙂
Actually we’ve been told that anyone with a cough or a temperature should self-isolate for 7 days. That is a pretty big measure, it’s just not as shiny as closing schools. And I think the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser are doing a pretty great job at explaining every day why they think their approach is correct, and why some measures taken by other countries are inappropriate. I’d much prefer them to stick to what they think is best while being honest and transparent about their thinking, than to start copying other countries without having a coherent plan,… Read more »
They should cancel. As a precaution. It’s the sensible and correct thing to do.