Poland and Iceland were previously ruled out from attending the Eurovision 2021 Turquoise Carpet. Now, just hours before the opening ceremony is due to take place, Malta and Romania have also been forced to skip the event. The EBU confirmed the news in a 16:32 CEST press release.
Malta and Romania will not attend the Eurovision 2021 Turquoise Carpet
“As a precautionary measure, the delegations from Romania and Malta will now not take part in the Turquoise Carpet event, on Sunday 16 May, following two previously reported positive COVID-19 tests within other delegations staying at the same hotel.
All participating artists received a PCR test yesterday (Saturday 15 May) in preparation for their appearance on the Carpet.
All members of the Maltese and Romanian delegations will also now undergo a further PCR test.
As an extra safety measure all delegations still attending the Carpet will now arrive individually in private transport.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 is taking place this year with the full support and assistance of the Dutch authorities. Our primary objective is to produce a fully COVID 19 safe event, and the health and welfare of all those taking part, working at the event or in the audience is our most important priority.
A range of strict measures, including isolation, social distancing and regular testing have been imposed on everyone on the advice of health professionals to ensure everyone’s safety.
We are deeply grateful for the support of the authorities in this, and to all the delegations, crew, venue staff and contractors for their willing co-operation to make sure the Contest can take place.”
Destiny and Roxen react to the news
A devastated Destiny from Malta broke the news to her fans on Instagram. “This was my look for the Turquoise carpet and @eurovision opening this evening”, she wrote. “Unfortunately enough, due to Covid 19 restrictions and protocols I can’t participate as another case has been detected in our hotel 🥺. I am safe but following protocols remains the priority for all of us”.
The message is accompanied by a tearful selfie. Destiny was already dressed and ready to go to the event. In a second picture she shows the outfit she was going to wear.
View this post on Instagram
Meanwhile, Romania’s Roxen shared a photoshoot from her hotel bathroom. She writes: “My turquoise carpet moment might be gone, but i did a shooting in the bathroom!🦋 I’m a bit sad…. but safety is first! I know it’s a hard moment for all the delegations involved but I really hope everyone can perform in their semi-finals! Ly take care of yourself!💜”
View this post on Instagram
Malta, Romania and Poland all tested negative… Only Iceland is still waiting for the results..
Good luck to all participants for your show tonight.
She blatantly said that covid protocol is the priority, which it is. Sure, it’s upsetting she has to miss out on the event but she understands the fact that the issue is beyond her. These precautions are made to keep everyone safe. It may be that nobody except the two positives from poland and iceland that have covid, but if that wasn’t the case, and they let everyone go, Dadi gives it to The roop, The roop give it to Gjon, Gjon gives it to Maneskin and before you know it everyone has covid and there is no eurovision. I… Read more »
It’s overly ambitious to not have any spread of covid at an event like this. Infectious diseases have been spread on every single ESC in last decades (since whenever it became a mass event) and given the high circulation of covid in the society right now, it’s statistically almost impossible to not have at least a few infected people in the team and delegations.
The truth is that we either accept it or we can’t host events anymore. This zero-covid policy is simply not going to work.
No of course they cannot let the virus spread freely! They have to take precaution like they did.
As I said, then you can’t have events. If we want to live in a world like that, fine.
So you would have preferred to cancel instead of pre caution?
Why so toxic? YOU should be ashamed of yourself for picking on an 18-year old.
She can both feel sad about not being able to start off the Eurovision week on the right foot and also care about the others. Destiny’s feelings are valid and understandable.
Don’t be so nasty. She’s allowed to be upset. It’s not selfish. What a nasty person you are
This is why it was considered too much of a risk for Australia to fly over. Not the fact that these delegations have possibly got covid – that totally sucks and I wish them the best. But in Oz we have noticed that quarantining in a hotel doesn’t prevent you from getting covid. Most of our community outbreaks though small have come from quarantining in hotels. They aren’t built for that purpose. Just opening you rooms door causes a draft of air into the hallway and the covid being a droplet contaminant gets blown into the corridor and it can… Read more »
What about vaccinating? I am sure they will vaccinate the athletes for Olympics, so stopping Montaigne was mean.
You can still get COVID even if you are vaccinated. And you can spread it further. The only thing that the vaccine does it lowers the complications/death rate in case of infection, but if you (even if you’re vaccinated) infect someone who is not vaccinated, that person can run the risk of actually ending up in hospital or worse. That’s why SBS is not half stepping it about this. Bringing COVID to Australia from Eurovision when the country is virtually virus-free would be a disaster.
My thoughts go to Montaigne though. And I will vote for her on Tuesday.
No it is not correct to vaccinate young healthy persons that wants to participate in a music completion before weak and vulnerable people. You have to understand that that the Vaccines are scarce and when a young person gets it there is someone else that needs it more that doesn’t get it that might even die.
“Someone else opens their door for something like a food delivery and the force of the door opening causes the droplets still in the air to be forced into the room where the door is opened.”
That’s not how it works, otherwise pretty much everyone in Europe would have had covid by now as virtually everyone had occupied a space with at least a small amount of covid droplets at some point during the recent year.
There is no proof so far that the spread in Rotterdam occured in the hotel.
Roxen’s bathroom photoshoot is creative af.
This year I heard “Heroes” by Mans on Polish radio. It was pretty unusual.
How cold was that interviewer towards the United Kingdom on the turquoise carpet omg Europe do outcast you . Poor uk
What happened?
Koos hasn’t been good at all.
roxen’s photoshoot omg… i have no choice but to stan
Roxen’s bathroom photoshoot is everything I-
Are they both staying at the same hotel?
Does anyone know which delegations are bubbled together? We now know Iceland-Poland-Malta-Romania; and according to Jendrik, it is Germany-Italy-Cyprus-(Australia). I think Russia and Croatia are in the same bubble as well. This is pure curiosity on my end, in monitoring the situation over the next week.
I also wanted to say that it is really good to see (1) that the Netherlands and the EBU had a clear and comprehensive response plan in place before the event, and (2) that they are sticking to it. This is no small feat.
The hateful, insanely cruel comments posted about Malta and Destiny from such people as David and Doris have made my resolve to support Destiny 100% all the way. I had some other 4 favourites, but I will be voting solely for her just to show these people that hate has a boomerang effect on people. They think that singers have to be slim and sexy and people who do not fall into that category should not be allowed to sing. As if talent is based on shape and size. So yes Destiny all the way for me.
I think Destiny would want you to vote for her
because you love her song,
and not because of her size.
I think she’d want votes. No matter why xd
I guess everyone wants votes.
Voting for her and not her size.
Amen!!
But tbh, just vote for the performances you’ll really love, not just to be supportive, like a lot of people would do with other contestants such as TIX. That way it would be fairer towards Destiny, and it would be more delightful for us her supporters to see her get fair votes from the jury and the televote.
Malta was one of my favourites from the start Ellen. I do understand people not liking her song as I too dislike some of the other songs. But to insult artists on a personal level and in such a hateful way made my resolve even greater. So I am not just voting just to be supportive but because she really deserves it
I agree 100% on evreything you’re writing. It’s the same for me. I defended Destiny, JMC and Malta since March.
Then it’s ok if you’re aware of that, that you won’t only vote to support her just for the constant, unfair and petty attacks Destiny’s received. I, and probably a lot of people too, deserves recognition at Rotterdam.
she deserves to win and do you know Destiny to tell that she is selfish?
This is expected , I wouldn’t be surprised if durimg the live show an artist suddenly showed Covid symptoms while on stage siging caughing etc. I pray for everyone to be safe but the truth is contest was cancelled last year and this year the covid is even on the rise, if it was cancelled last year why did they decide to go with the big international show like this when it requires travelling from many countries that aide covid!! Realy they didn’t take Covid that seriously did they,
If saying about the importance and safety of people about covid situation is stupid to you there is no need to argue with you, you are careless and useless
I’m definitely in love with Jendrik. He’s so kind and cute. He has pinned the pics of the contestants that couldn’t make it to the carpet to his jacket. Love him.
Awww!
And Agnete (Norway 2016) has also missed the Red Carpet event 5 years ago due to the mental health.
I love it when eurostars support each other on social medias. Jendrik has commented such a sweet message on Destiny’s post and Blas too. This latter was excited to meet her. Stefania and the Queen Conchita also showed her some support. That’s lovely and beautiful to watch. Imma check what they say about Roxen or Dadi.
Karina Ignatyan (JESC 2019 Armenia) dedicated a story for her as well as Albina but for all the ones that weren’t present for the carpet show. We do have a bunch of sweet and supportive contestants this year, that’s really adorable.
If these positive tests were found through routine testing (presumably asymptomatic?), then I do not see a need for quarantine.
A positive test does not mean you’re infectious.
Given that there are safety protocols in place, the only people who I think should be quarantined are people who are ill, and any asymptomatic close contacts until getting another negative test.
Just to follow up, I agree with routine testing, but if people are quarantined based on a positive result, I think there needs to be a reason to think the positive test actually constitutes an infectious case (symptoms, exposure to someone who became ill, etc.)
It’s infectious days before first symptoms. I don’t understand how they could know how they will feel in a couple of days. Also it normally breaks out 5-14 days after infection
Thanks for the comment and observation. While I’ve seen contradictory studies on how common this is, I understand the concern. I’m glad that the rules agreed to before the contest are being adhered to.
I do think that the full length test for Romania and Malta is a bit extreme, a quick test or two would determine fairly accurately, as for the delegations who have come into contact, (Iceland, Poland) The full test is necessary as it is much more likely that they have it. Thankfully, this is just the opening ceremony and if all tests come back negative, They’ll be able to perform. The precautions are only there to keep everyone safe. Because once a positive comes through, you don’t know where it came from or if the person is in fact infectious.… Read more »
Wow! Roxen is a stunning beauty!
Your parents ,wife,kids must be so much proud of you.Karma is a bitch!
Dude you have serious issues.
And Wiwibloggs allows comments like this? David you are simply a despicable human being. Shame on you.
You have negative IQ.
Just my opinion, but I don’t think these side events should happen, it’s not worth the risk. Most of the pre-ESC events were sacrificed for a bigger cause and I think events such as the
redturquoise carpet should’ve been too. It’s sad, but like a said, it’s for a bigger cause.Exactly, it’s totally irresponsible, for saying the least…
I think there is a need for an opening ceremony but it would be much better to have a virtual one! I don’t know why they didn’t opt for that route but what can you do…
Does this mean these acts will miss the dress rehearsals? What a shame for everyone involved.
I love how they painted Destiny’s face to make it seem she was crying! I wish all artists and delegations a safe stay. May all be well so you can all perform and enjoy your Eurovision moment.
She did it herself…
oh, I did not know. Well, I wish everybody the very best, especially all those delegations who could not attend. But better that way, so they keep safe.
Do you have a heart?
Do you have eyes…?
I guess it’s a symptom of today’s society. It’s not ok to be a bit disappointed. If you don’t cry yourself you paint your makeup to imitate tears. #onlybigemotionsaccepted
More like, they wanted emotional reaction and made some obviously fake makeup
wow . we we’re really judging someone’s pattern to cry now. really? you really don’t understand how emotions work , do you?
Ew, fat-shamer. GTFO and grow up
Dude, you are bullying at Destiny, what’s wrong with you! I feel bad for her she cried that she couldn’t go to the ceremony! I wish her to be healthy for the contest! Shame on you to behave Destiny like that!
Pancake’s comment was aiming at another one that was body-shaming Destiny. But it was deleted cause it received more than 84 dislikes and a lot of people called it out and asked for it to be deleted.
Body-shaming was a type for bullying, I know.
I get you, but that wasn’t the point of my comment. I just wanted to clear the things up. Pancake wasn’t coming at Destiny but at a disgusting and out of context comment made by a toxic user — which has been deleted hopefully.
F..k off hater
Sorry for my remark.i assumed that you made your remarks to destiny.sincere apologies.
This ain’t wacky. This is sick
Oh come on Destiny, is a safety-first issue. This is a difficult year for everyone. I am not saying to not be sad, but don’t make this photos public. It doesn’t help the rest of the people. We all have to fight this together, and you are not helping with that.
Such a drama queen, right?
Destiny… do you know who else couldn’t attend the turquese carpet? Exactly!!! Montaigne!!! And guess what… she won’t even be able to perform live from the ahoy! But, yeah… let’s focus on you.
We’re not equals in terms of feelings and perceptions. And above all, we’re not the ones experimenting what she’s living — which must be incredible, I mean, participating at ESC is THE thing. So don’t judge her because she’s writing that she’s sad not to be participating at the turquoise carpet. That’s an event where she could have had a lot of fun and could have met the other contestants. I would have cried too if I were forced to quarantine and not be on the carpet with the others. I would have also been very sad not to be… Read more »
I also paint XD in my face when I’m laughing and a drip in my head when I know I’m nervous. Just so people who didn’t notice will understand I have feelings
Is this supposed to be funny ? Try to hate on something else.
Well Montaigne was also featured in a tearful clip because she could not be in Rotterdam. Did you say as such for Montaigne as well?
That’s exactly my point. Montaigne IS NOT IN ROTTERDAM, Destiny IS!!!
She shouldn’t be crying for not being able to attend a red carpet event that shouldn’t even be happening because it’s very risky. Montaigne couldn’t travel, she can cry the whole Nile River of she wants!!
Destiny can also not be performing this tuesday so what’s your fuss about ? JMC speech intro sums up exactly what you’re doing at the moment. ‘Ladies, you will always be told what to do. Who to be. Who to be like’. Spend your energy on something better than criticizing her feelings at the moment. A grown-ass man like you trying to take down an 18-yo young woman…. How pitiful you can be.
Her point was clear. She was crying about not taking part in the turquese carpet event. Yes, she was self-aware about the ‘safety first’ thing, but still… that’s even a bigger reason to stop painting her face… she is gonna be ok, she is gonna slay in her semi and then she will end top 5 in the grand final…
If it is an actual safety first issue, the event wouldn’t take place. Let’s remember that the Maltese and Romanian delegations tested NEGATIVE but are not allowed to voice their song and their country. How is this the equality that we’re used to in Eurovision ?
Amen.
That’s just a couple of pics. And you’re making a fuss about them ? What’s the point of criticizing them ? And above all, what’s the point of criticizing her when she’s clearly written in the description this line: ‘I am safe but following protocols remains the priority for all of us’ ? She’s well-aware that her and the Maltese delegation are facing a safety-first issue.
I feel really sorry for them, first the 2020 cancellation and now this. But the most important thing is that they stay safe and well. It looks like these are precautionary measures so fingers crossed it doesn’t spread further then the current two cases in their hotel and that those who tested positive only have mild illness. I agree with previous comments, I am surprised that an opening ceremony is going ahead, we have to hope that the precautions taken by the organisers are thorough enough.
Here in Belgium I’ve already heard quite a lot of Eurovision songs on radio. All the ones from Belgium of course, some winners from the last decade (Loreen, Mans, Emilie de Forest, Lena, Netta and Duncan) and some others (Mahmood, Bilal, Luca Hanni and Michela from 2019, Dadi Freyr last year’s song, Ben Dolic, Eleni Foureira, Mikolas Josef, Benjamin Ingrosso and Michael Schulte). I won’t go further because I don’t remember before.
You are a stupid and arrogant person. You should be banned from posting such comments. Wiwi should take action.
I hope none of them will be forced to quarantine during the live shows.
Could the moderators from wiwibloggs ban you from this web? Seriously, you are pathetically annoying.
Honestly ban worthy comment, far over the line
get a life. your obviously a very sad person
I hardly ever dislike comments, but this one would deserve two.
That’s nothing compared to Carousel who were playing in a Starbucks some months ago..
I remember it scared the living daylights out of me
Like Manizha said in LookLab to all the haters, YOU NEED LOVE!
That little sh*t just needs a brain. That’s not the first time he’s dealing with Destiny’s weight. And once again, it’s still out of context with the article.
The big black woman that I am wanna say something very special to you David: go f**k yourself.
Hey. I will write this message for myself and others that feel this is devastating and difficult in this period we are in as of Covid-19 restrictions and protocols. I do not downplay the Covid-19 pandemic in itself. And do not hope someone gets the Covid-19, myself and others. But what I try to say it’s that for people nowadays in this situation for people myself and others isn’t so easy and fun. I know that we have to take care of each other and be careful not to get the Covid-19. I don’t have the Covid-19… Read more »
Målar du arga rynkor och horn i huvudet för att visa hur du mår? Är ju bra om alla kan se så de slipper fundera ju
You shouldn’t be allowed to comment because of your big stupidity. Period.
Roxen just react on her Instagram, so lovely!
I’m really sorry for all of them.
Hope things are going to be just fine!
One would assume that this year’s contest would have been scaled down to the most essential. I was expecting a cut to the number of rehearsals, a reduced overall schedule, no live interviews, etc. Instead of that, they are holding meet-and-greets, LookLab sessions, behind-the-scenes, and now a completely unnecessary red carpet event! Is there no common sense left?
Maskless interviews through very tiny plexiglass too….
It’s always a little buzz when it happens haha
A bar in my city always played “City Lights” and a shopping mall basically had the 2018 album on repeat for about 4 months after the contest.
Sometimes when I’m grocery shopping, I swear I hear Levina’s “Perfect Life” playing over the speakers. Which is pretty remarkable considering how the heck a 25th place German 2017 Eurovision song is playing in an American supermarket!
Probably turns out to be “Titanium” by Sia and David Guetta lol
And, yes, besides to the artists, the opening ceremony isn’t THAT important. It is MUCH more important that they all stay healthy, and are able to perform on Tuesday / Thursday. I’d cancel the turquoise carpet, sadly, but at least I hope that the safety measurements are enough. Please, let us all have ESC live! 🙁
Sending good vibes to all. I hope that Iceland and Poland will be able to perform as planned, and that Romania and Malta are just doing it as a precaution. I really wish for all of them to be there live in the semis.
Fingers crossed for performing in the semis!
I’m not surprised to be honest. Not saying everyone isn’t careful enough but I saw a lot of artists, delegations and press disregarding the covid measures on social media and on the livestreams. Mostly unintentionally of course. Testing every day is not enough, it’s also about keeping distance and wearing a mask. Let’s hope this opening ceremony doesn’t ruin the actual shows.