With an extensive and detailed safety protocol, the EBU/EBU and the Dutch Government organized the ESC 2021 as a FieldLab event to test how large events can be carried out during the pandemic without causing an outbreak. This meant that the 9 shows of the Eurovision Festival had around 3500 people each, with all spectators entering the venue with a negative Covid-19 test performed in the previous 48 hours.
About a month after the contest, Fieldlab Events revealed that a total of 48 Covid-19 positive cases were detected out of the universe of 29 875 spectators who were at the Rotterdam Ahoy, representing 0.16% of the audience. These numbers are equivalent to an average of 1.6 positive cases per thousand people, a much lower number compared to that recorded in the Netherlands in the same period: 4.9 per thousand inhabitants.
The presented numbers include only the spectators, leaving aside the numbers between delegations, volunteers and members of the press. Jóhann, member of the band Gagnamagnid, representing Iceland, was the only artist to test positive for Covid-19, which meant that the delegation did not perform live at the event. Duncan Laurence, winner of the Eurovision 2019 Festival, also tested positive and missed out on the Grand Final.
Are these numbers enough to you to consider this years’ event safe? As you know, your opinion always counts!
