Dutch singer Duncan Laurence, after his victory at Eurovision Song Contest, May 19, 2019. – Jack GUEZ / AFP
From our special correspondent in Rotterdam (Netherlands)
The reigning Eurovision winner will miss out on a final on Saturday. Duncan Laurence tested positive for covid-19 on Wednesday, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced this Thursday morning
in a press release. The Dutch singer, tested negative on Monday, sang at the opening of the first semi-final Tuesday evening on the stage of the Ahoy Rotterdam.
The next day, he felt mild symptoms and therefore underwent an antigen test which revealed that he had been infected with the coronavirus. As a result, the artist will not be able to perform live during the final, nor as tradition dictates, handing over the trophy to the winner of this edition.
“He had been waiting for this moment for two years”
“Duncan is very disappointed, he had been waiting for this moment for two years. We are happy that he can still appear in the final on Saturday, ”said his entourage. The singer will undoubtedly be present via pre-recorded performances.
Eurovision 2021 is a “field laboratory” for the Dutch government which thus analyzes the capacity to organize a major event in such a health context. Among other measures, artists and accredited persons must undergo a breath or antigen test every forty-eight hours