Eurovision organisers have announced that Iceland's Daði og Gagnamagnið will not perform live at this week's contest in Rotterdam due to a positive Covid-19 test but will remain in the competition with the song 10 Years.
Iceland is one of the 17 countries seeking to qualify from Thursday night's second semi-final, which airs on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from 8:00pm. The Icelandic entry is among the favourites in this year's competition.
In a statement, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: "Following a positive test for Covid-19 amongst the Icelandic delegation on Sunday 16 May, the whole team has been in quarantine and undergone PCR testing (on 16 and 19 May).
Statement on Iceland's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.https://t.co/TKDTbXfBU2
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 19, 2021
"Today (Wednesday 19 May) a member of the Icelandic group Daði og Gagnamagnið also tested positive for Covid-19. The rest of the delegation has again tested negative for Covid-19.
"In close collaboration with the EBU and the host broadcaster, Daði og Gagnamagnið have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from performing in this year's live Eurovision Song Contest shows, as they only want to perform together as a group.
"Their song will remain in the competition and we will broadcast their rehearsal performance, recorded on the stage on 13 May.
"The Icelandic delegation will remain in quarantine and be monitored by the Health Authorities.
"We wish them all the best and will provide further updates in due course."
In a tweet, frontman Daði Freyr wrote: "We have all been extremely careful the whole trip so this comes as a huge surprise. We are very happy with the performance and super excited for you all to see it! Thank you for all the love."
A member of Gagnamagnið got a positive test result this morning. Unfortunately this probably means that we will not take part in the rehearsal today or live show tomorrow and a recording from our second rehearsal will be used in stead. pic.twitter.com/93yravOHSY
— Daði Freyr 🥑 (@dadimakesmusic) May 19, 2021
"Everybody is feeling healthy!" he later added. "Thank you for the kind messages!"
A member of Gagnamagnið got a positive test result this morning. Unfortunately this probably means that we will not take part in the rehearsal today or live show tomorrow and a recording from our second rehearsal will be used in stead. pic.twitter.com/93yravOHSY
— Daði Freyr 🥑 (@dadimakesmusic) May 19, 2021
