Eurovision allowed to host COVID-tested audience at 2021 semi-finals and final

The Eurovision Song Contest was originally due to be hosted in Rotterdam last year, but was pushed back a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Variety reports, the Dutch government has now granted permission for Eurovision to host up to 3,500 COVID-tested fans during the contest's semi-finals and final in May.

The 2021 Eurovision Song Contest will host nine live shows in total, including six rehearsals, two semi-finals and the final. The semi-finals will take place on 18 and 20 May, while the final will happen on 22 May, all from Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena.

All 3,500 attendees - which is half the venue's capacity - are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result to attend the shows.

Martin Österdahl, executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said, "We welcome this decision by the Dutch government and the possibility that we can invite fans to join us as we bring the Eurovision Song Contest back in May. We will consider the options now available and announce more details in the coming weeks on how we can safely admit audiences to the Ahoy venue in Rotterdam should the situation allow. The health and safety of all those attending the event remains our top priority."