MX23RW : Friday, November 29 08:39:02| >> :600:132276755:132276755:

Eurovision unveils coronavirus contingency plans for 2021 contest

Eurovision unveils coronavirus contingency plans for 2021 contest
© Reuters
The organisers of Eurovision unveil four possible scenarios to ensure that the contest can proceed in 2021 no matter what.

The organisers of Eurovision have unveiled four possible scenarios to ensure that next year's contest can go ahead come what may.

For the first time in the competition's history, the contest was called off this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and plans are now well underway for the 2021 edition in Rotterdam.

Although the contest is still eight months away, its format still remains up in the air because of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

In a press conference on Friday, executive producer Sietse Bakker outlined the four possible ways in which Eurovision 2021 could play out.

The first assumes that coronavirus no longer poses a threat, in which case the contest will go ahead as normal, while the second scenario assumes current social distancing guidelines, which would result in a smaller audience at the Ahoy Arena.

The third scenario would be deployed in the case that travel restrictions remain in place, with as many acts as possible travelling to Rotterdam and those that are unable to travel performing in their home country.

The final, worst-case scenario assumes that the Netherlands is in a state of full lockdown again, in which case every act will perform from their home country and there will be no live audience present at the Ahoy.

Eurovision expects to make a decision on which scenario to use in the first few months of 2021.

ID:414862: cacheID:414862:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2187:

Follow us on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole Black Friday Offer: Get Sky Entertainment, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £19 a month + £0 upfront fee for 24 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends December 3, 2024

Restore Data
Share this article now:
James Newman in the video for 'My Last Breath'
Read Next:
James Newman to represent UK at Eurovision 2021?
>
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Friday, November 29


The Graham Norton Show: BBC One, 10.40pm
On the sofa this week: Cher, Michael Fassbender, Kiera Knightley and Josh Brolin

Senna: Netflix, from 8am
New drama series about the late Formula 1 legend

Coronation Street: ITVX, from 7am and ITV1, 8pm
Leanne gets the sad news that her dad Les Battersby has died

The Making of Do They Know It's Christmas?: BBC Four, 9pm
Behind-the-scenes footage of how Band Aid came together

Nutcrackers: Disney+, from 8am
Ben Stiller stars as a work-obsessed city slicker who is forced to become a caregiver for his rambunctious nephews on their family farm