Health scare in Ukraine
06/11/2009 – Recently Ukraine has been overwhelmed with the Flu virus, causing the government to section off parts of the country and prohibit travel between regions. Of course, this rather dampens the JESC teams plans to bring in orphans and sick children from all over the country to watch the show.We can’t have a JESC without an audience, but luckily they have finally organised the tickets. To receive tickets just send an e-mail to junior2009@ntu.ua by the 14th of November. The request can be informal but you should point out the amount of tickets and the name of the person to whose name the tickets will be booked for.
It’s only two weeks until the JESC and preparations are going as planned, despite the flu scare. Further to a comprehensive review of the current situation in Ukraine and discussions between European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Host Broadcaster NTU and the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, a decision has been reached that the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, will take place on 21 November at the Palats Sportu in Kyiv, Ukraine.
“The health of the young contestants from 13 countries and the production crew is our absolute priority. The EBU has received reassurances from the Host Broadcaster NTU and the Ukrainian Ministry of Health that appropriate action will be taken to reduce the risk of infection by the H1N1 flu virus. In addition, the health of all involved in the event will be monitored closely,” says Bjørn Erichsen, TV Director at the EBU.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Health assured, amongst other measures, to provide daily health check-ups of those who are working and participating at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, additional hygiene facilities at official event locations and flu information points, staffed with medical experts. The EBU already distributed the Ministry of Health’s hygiene recommendations to all participating delegations.
The WHO continues to recommend no closing of borders and no restrictions on international travel, including to Ukraine. Experience shows that such measures will not stop further spread of the virus, the WHO states on its website (source: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/).
Sweden is still threatening to withdraw if they are worried, but we must hope they will abstain. They’ve announced that they will air the show the next morning and use a 100% televote. It is seeming rather like.. Sweden doesn’t care about JESC at all.. with no national final either. A sort of… send Mimmi then we’re out.. situation I’m sensing. I hope not, Sweden has more than just the Sanden’s.. however brilliant they are.
On a fun note, Bobi Andonov has released two episodes of his vlog now –
ep 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjMMmA6bYck
ep 2 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS1syFz7GYI