Eurovision organisers will reportedly take a final decision on this year's contest within four to five weeks.
Last year the event was called off for the first time in its history due to the emergence of coronavirus but plans are afoot to make sure that it can go ahead this year come what may.
Organisers have released details of four possible formats the contest could take depending on the situation with coronavirus in May - and all of the countries taking part are already working on plans to pre-record backup performances which could be played out on the night as a last resort.
Even though a COVID-19 vaccine is now available, it will be a considerable amount of time before most of the European population receives it, and in the meantime, a new variant of the disease has sent cases and deaths skyrocketing.
Eurovision executive supervisor Sietse Bakker has now told Dutch paper De Telegraaf that plans for the format will be finalised within "four to five weeks" in order to give certainty to the participants.
Given the current situation with coronavirus, it is almost certain that Eurovision will be unable to go ahead with its usual format and instead is likely to be held in front of a very limited - or possibly no - live audience.
The Eurovision final is due to take place on May 22 in Rotterdam, with the semi-finals set for May 18 and 20.
Neil Wilkes
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