The traditional party held every New Year’s Eve in New York’s Times Square will be back in force in 2021. The city’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, announced that only those who are vaccinated with both doses will be able to attend. “Join the crowd, join the joy, join a historic moment as New York City provides further proof to the world that we are back to 100 percent,” said de Blasio. According to CNN, the mayor has been working with the NYC Department of Health, the NYPD and other partners in preparation for the NYE festivities.
This city has been through a lot, but it’s been a heroic city, fighting Covid-19. We have a lot to celebrate. So, it’s going to be a great time in Times Square on New Year’s Eve
Bill de Blasio, New York City’s Mayor
Those unable to present a certificate of vaccination due to a disability must show a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to the event. Last year, New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Big Apple were canceled for the first time in 113 years due to the coronavirus pandemic, which caused a severe health crisis in the city for several months. Revelers were forced to settle for a virtual celebration.
De Blasio promised more details in the coming days on how the city plans to safely gather thousands of people behind barricades to welcome 2022. According to the New York press, plans for the festivities in Times Square are likely to hinge on the controversial mandatory vaccination certificate for access to venues such as restaurants and bars.
“We’re going to have some clear, smart rules to keep everyone safe,” de Blasio promised. Despite the enthusiasm for the approaching date and for a year complicated by the pandemic, many experts point out that it is uncertain what the health situation will be like by then.
“It’s not going to be perfect. We have to assume there will be people with Covid mixed in among the outdoor revelers,” said Denis Nash, professor of epidemiology at the City University of New York’s School of Public Health and Health Policy. Contrary to New York, other cities around the world canceled Christmas and New Year’s celebrations such as London and Amsterdam.
The United States is currently going through the “wave of the unvaccinated”. It is estimated that more than 45% of the American population does not have even first dosis.
