The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was due to go ahead in May, but for the first time ever it has been cancelled due to coronavirus, Israeli TV has reported.
It has now been confirmed that the contest has been cancelled after Prime Minister Boris Johnson advised against mass gatherings in an attempt to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
The contest was was due to take place in Rotterdam from Tuesday, May 12 to Saturday, May 16.
The news comes after the London Eurovision party, which was due to take place on March 29, was cancelled.
Taking to its official Instagram page, the news was of the party being cancelled was broke with a statement.
The statement read: “Further to the UK Government announcement this afternoon it is with a heavy heart that we announce the inevitable postponement of the London Eurovision Party 2020.”
(Image: BBC)
Prior to the Eurovision Song Contest being cancelled, in March a representative for the European Broadcasting Union said that it was looking into “possible scenarios”.
The rep said: “The EBU is, of course, closely monitoring the situation concerning the spread of coronavirus and taking all necessary health and safety precautions in line with WHO and national authority guidelines.
“We will continue to follow developments across Europe; and are looking at various possible scenarios together with the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 host broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS.”
It was also reportedly suggested that the acts might have had to perform in their own countries via video link.
Currently the death toll in the UK sits at 55, with 1,543 confirmed cases of the virus.
The PM announced on March 16 that he was putting the country in lockdown, urging people to avoid pubs, clubs, theatres, and to stop non-essential travel.
Mr Johnson declared the need to take “drastic action” to tackle the “fast growth” of the virus as it continues to kill around the globe.
The prime minister also instructed that anyone living in a household with somebody who has either a persistent cough or fever must now also isolate themselves for 14 days.
He advised that people who are vulnerable – including those who are elderly – will need to undertake even more drastic measures.
However, Chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, said more measures need to be taken for a “prolonged period”.
He said: “We should not be under any illusions that ‘if we just do this for a couple of weeks that is sufficient’.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
