Planning and preparation for the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in The Netherlands is going ahead, despite the current Corona Virus pandemic.
This morning a council meeting will be held in Rotterdam to discuss the consequences of the Corona Virus spread across Europe and how it will affect the Eurovision Song Contest in May. However, the Rotterdam Tourism Councilor, Wethouder Kasmi, stated beforehand that there “is no need to cancel the Eurovision Song Contest”.
Kasmi has emphasised that the RIVM (National Health Organisation) will be monitoring the situation and will take action if necessary. As of right now, preparation for the contest is still underway.
Kasmi stated:
“I think there should be an examination mid-April about how things are going then. So we still have plenty of time.”
Other council members, however, do not agree. Geert Koster said:
“As it stands now, I find that irresponsible. If you just let it go on, you consciously take the risk of developing a source of infection. It must first be clear that – perhaps due to an increase in temperature – the danger has passed.”
Yesterday arguments for and against holding the contest were presented to Mayor Aboutaleb, who can decide to ultimately cancel the event if needs be. This evening the Mayor commented on whether the Eurovision Song Contest should be held, he told the press that:
The EBU and AVROTROS have the opportunity to take this decision independently, but I have the legal responsibility and I think it is too early to say anything about it
Updated at 21:22 CET
Meanwhile, all further episodes for season 11 of Operación Triunfo will be broadcast without a studio audience. 🙁