UK fans attending the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna this weekend will face strict new rules on flags, with homemade banners confiscated unless they meet fire safety regulations. The measures, enforced by official ticket distributor Oeticket, require fans to present certificates proving their flags are fire-resistant upon entry to the Vienna Stadthalle.
The restrictions follow a deadly fire at a Swiss ski resort bar on New Year's Eve, which killed 41 people and injured over 100. In response, Oeticket has introduced the health and safety measures for the grand final and both semi-finals, aiming to prevent a similar disaster.
Fans who pre-ordered approved official flags from the Eurovision shop at the arena can bypass the ban, but these have sold out. The move also comes amid ongoing tensions between Palestine and Israel; last year, the European Broadcasting Union updated its flag policy to allow flags of non-competing countries, leading to Palestinian banners appearing during the final.
UK entry Look Mum No Computer, real name Sam Battle, will perform his song 'Eins Zwei Drei', which he describes as a fun reminder that the UK is still part of Europe. The final airs on BBC1 on Saturday at 8pm, hosted by Graham Norton, Rylan Clark and Angela Scanlon.
