(New York) New York Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday promised the return of the crowds for the New Year’s party in Times Square, after its cancellation in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic that has ravaged the city and the world.
“Hundreds of thousands of people will come to party, we can finally meet again, it will be fantastic,” announced the Democratic mayor.
However, he immediately clarified that to enter the premises, “proof of vaccination” would be required. The only possible exceptions are children under 5 years old or people with a medical incompatibility with the vaccine, who will have to provide a negative test within 72 hours.
The New Year’s celebrations in Times Square, which have taken place since the turn of the 20th century, are emblematic of America’s cultural and tourist capital; the images of its fireworks tour the world, in addition to being televised in the United States.
But last year, the traditional descent of the ball on Times Tower and the release of confetti had taken place in an empty plaza, the party being held only for the television and a handful of “essential workers” and their families, in honor of their role during the COVID-19 crisis.
The city of more than 8 million people had been the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States in the spring of 2020 and had to shut down, as its hospitals were overwhelmed with the sick and several hundred deaths each. day. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 34,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the American megalopolis.
Since November 8 and the total reopening of the American borders, New York, for which tourism is an essential sector, can once again welcome visitors from all over the world.