Dutch Eurovision corona measures considered success

An experiment into staging large-scale events during the coronavirus pandemic, including the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest, has been declared a success.

Organisers of the ‘Fieldlab’ experiments have concluded that events with large numbers of visitors can be held safely even when coronavirus infection rates remain high. Fieldlab is a joint project between the events industry and three government ministries. Its conclusion is based on the results of the Eurovision Song Contest and 23 other recent events, attended by 60,000 people who were all tested for coronavirus in advance.

The official risk level in the Netherlands remains ‘extremely serious’, but seated events with a maximum 50% occupancy have been given the green light.

Follow-up tests

The number of coronavirus infections picked up by Eurovision fans will be made public in a couple of weeks. A total of 28,249 people took a coronavirus test before attending a show. They’ve been asked to take a second, voluntary test after the show to find out whether coronavirus still got through. At previous events, around 80% of people did so.

‘The practicals have shown that visitors are prepared to cooperate by having a fast test ahead of the event,’ Fieldlab told broadcaster NOS. ‘If the infrastructure for testing is maintained, and the cabinet supports our findings, there’s nothing standing in the way of a fine summer for the events industry.’

The Dutch government is not expected to further relax most lockdown rules until the end of June. From June 5, however, theatres and cinemas may reopen for a limited number of visitors, with strict social-distancing rules in place.