The nine shows around the Eurovision Song Contest will definitely take place with an audience. The event was named a FieldLab test at the beginning of April, opening up the possibility for 3,500 spectators per show. Outgoing ministers Hugo de Jonge (Health, Welfare and Sport) Arie Slob (Primary and Secondary Education and Media), Ferd Grapperhaus (Justice and Security), Ingrid van Engelshoven (Education, Culture and Science) have this Thursday with State Secretary Mona Keijzer ( Economic Affairs and Climate).
It was announced in advance that the FieldLab tests could only proceed if there were less than 900 corona patients in the Intensive Care Unit (IC). The nine shows will take place on and around the first semifinal (May 18), second semifinal (May 20) and the final (May 22) in Ahoy Rotterdam. All shows were sold out in 2020, but due to the move to 2021, all ticket holders got their money back. They did get the promise to be the first to get the chance to buy new tickets. Ticket sales for 2021 were at a standstill until the ministers’ decision.
The organization of the Eurovision Song Contest has taken into account several scenarios in Ahoy, so that at least no standing places are available at the stage. The artists from participating countries sit on the floor, and there is room for the public in the stands.
If the situation in the healthcare sector deteriorates further in the coming weeks, the cabinet may once again review the permission to receive publicly. Sietse Bakker: “We understand that extra reservation, of course. For that situation, we will of course keep the scenario without an audience at hand. In addition, we remain in close contact with the municipality, the GGD and the hospitals in the area. ”
The available tickets will be offered to all ticket holders of the 2020 edition. This will happen on Saturday 8 May at 12:00 noon. They will receive a message about this on Wednesday 5 May.