Executive Producer Sietse Bakker has confirmed that countries will be able to choose between their Live-on-Tape performance or rehearsal footage if they cannot perform at the contest due to Covid protocol. So far, Australia is the only country confirmed to be using their Live-on-Tape performance.
It was announced in November that all countries would have to record a Live-on-Tape performance for this year’s contest, in case they cannot perform as a result of Covid-19 guidelines. These performances were submitted to the EBU by the end of March.
“We hope we don’t need it”
Speaking to ESC Daily, Sietse Bakker said that the organisers hope that countries will not have to use a back-up performance, but if they do, they will have the choice of using their pre-recorded Live-on-Tape performance or they can use a recording from the second rehearsals.
We have the Live-on-Tape back-up that we recorded over the past few months with all the participating delegations. We also recorded their second on-stage rehearsal as a back-up. Obviously, we hope we don’t need it but if it’s necessary, we have those at hand.
– Sietse Bakker, speaking to ESC Daily
The EBU will work closely with any delegation requiring a back-up performance, with Bakker stating that they want delegations “to feel comfortable with the rehearsal that they use”.
Earlier this week, Go_A’s lead singer Kateryna Pavlenko had to miss Ukraine’s second rehearsal after feeling unwell and had to take a PCR test as a result. She later tested negative for Covid-19. Yesterday, it was announced that Rafał will miss the Turquoise Carpet ceremony after a member of the Polish delegation tested positive for Covid-19. The whole delegation are currently isolating and awaiting results of their PCR tests.
We will keep you updated with all the latest news from Rotterdam throughout the contest week. Are you excited for Eurovision?
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