Covid tests, confined fans, FFP2 masks ... In Rotterdam, forty-eight hours in the Eurovision bubble

Whatever happens to Barbara Pravi this Saturday evening (France 2, 9 p.m.), this 65th edition of Eurovision will be remembered for a long time. The international song contest will remain as the first global cultural event organized with the public since the start of the pandemic. A first step in sustainable deconfinement, like its slogan, “Open Up! »,« Open up! ". After the first cancellation in its history, last year, the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) managed to maintain its demonstration by implementing a very rigorous health protocol for artists, fans and journalists.

Rotterdam has to be earned.

Upon boarding in Paris, this Thursday, we must present a PCR test of less than 72 hours to take the Thalys.

The second city of the Netherlands (630,000 inhabitants, 1.4 million with its agglomeration) and first European port welcomes us in the rainbow colors of Eurovision.

The shops, trams and subways display the titles that made its history, such as "Wax doll, sound doll" by France Gall, winner in 1965. The crosswalks sing "Waterloo" by Abba as you cross.

Billboards and taxi drivers love Barbara Pravi.

But it is not yet time to celebrate.

Read also Eurovision 2021: in Rotterdam, we have faith in Barbara Pravi

"It's not the atmosphere of a usual Eurovision, admit Julien and William, two Parisian fans who have not missed a competition since 2013. Usually, it's a week of non-stop partying in the city center . There are thousands of us meeting and dancing together. There, everyone remains locked in their hotel. It's frustrating. Surprise, the mask is mandatory in buildings but not in the streets.

The Eurovision website has everything of a health bubble.

The FFP2 surgical mask is required upon entry.

In addition to the PCR test essential to return to France - which costs 100 euros in the Netherlands and takes place in a gloomy parking lot in the suburbs - you also have to do an antigen test every forty-eight hours to enter the press room.

In a huge tent erected in the parking lot, we queue to blow in a machine connected to a computer.

If the test is inconclusive, it is the rod at the back of the nose.

We receive the result ten minutes later and we incorporate it into our accreditation to the false air of health pass.

If it is positive, we cannot enter the press room.

The oldest private fans of competitions

This is also very large for the 500 accredited journalists, three times less than usual. For the first time, it is impossible to follow the French delegation behind the scenes and attend the rehearsals and the preparation of Barbara Pravi. It is one of the most careful artists, cut off from the world on Thursday evening. "It was absolutely necessary to protect her from contamination which would have deprived her of the live final, as was the case with Iceland," explains Alexandra Redde-Amiel, the head of the French delegation. To take no risk, our team is reduced to 20 people instead of 40. For ten days, we have not seen anything from Rotterdam. Two

chaperones

give us what we need. We did not meet any delegation and were tested every day. It is a Eurovision under tension, a containment hyperstrict but necessary. And effective. Thursday evening, the Dutch organizers had identified only 16 positive people out of the 25,000 tested.

In Rotterdam, the French fans of the competition are also much less numerous.

“Only 25, whereas we were 150 in Lisbon in 2018 and 120 in Tel Aviv in 2019, regrets Stéphane Chiffre, president of Eurofans OGAE France.

Many were showered by the Dutch government's warning to observe a ten-day quarantine upon arrival.

Our deans, Prune and Laure, were not even allowed to come, the competition being forbidden to over 70 years.

"Considering the price of the trip, the ticket for the final - 250 euros - and the tests, we really had to believe in our chances of victory to come", smiles Michel, a 57-year-old Toulonnais who did not miss a competition. since 2011.

"We are still privileged"

Arrived Monday, Julien and William, the Parisian fans, did not observe quarantine but had to do eight tests. “Including a last one this Saturday a few hours before the show, they point out. The final is a test concert, like the one in Indochina in a week in Paris. In Rotterdam, we are 3,500 spectators seated in a hall that can hold 16,000, but we are without masks or physical distancing. We are still privileged to be there. "