Eurovision Song Contest Canceled over Coronavirus Concerns

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest has been canceled over coronavirus concerns.

The event was due to take place at Rotterdam's 16,000 capacity Ahoy Arena, with the final on 16 May.

The Dutch government has already banned mass gatherings in an attempt to prevent the virus from spreading.

"We, like the millions of you around the world, are extremely saddened that it cannot take place in May," organizers said in a statement.

“Over the past few weeks, we have explored many alternative options to allow the Eurovision Song Contest to go ahead,” the European Broadcasting Union, the organizer of the event, said in a statement on Twitter on Wednesday, claiming that no solution worked and “It is impossible to continue with the live event as planned.”

This year will be the first time the competition has not taken place since it started in 1956.

However, the organizers promise that they will come back “stronger than ever” in 2021.

By Ana Dumbadze