Story at a glance
- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday he is “hopeful” the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square can proceed as planned.
- “The goal, of course, is to keep it going, because it’s such an important event for New Yorkers and for the whole world,” de Blasio said.
- “But if we’re able to figure out the right formula to keep people safe, that’s what we’re working on right now.”
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday he is “hopeful” the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square can proceed as planned, but officials are looking into ways to increase safety as the omicron coronavirus variant sweeps across the city.
Speaking to CNN’s John Berman, de Blasio said the event is currently scheduled to take place outdoors for those who can show proof of vaccination. Those who cannot get a vaccine may show proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours.
Yet the outgoing mayor added that officials are “looking to add additional measures to make it even safer.”
“The goal, of course, is to keep it going, because it’s such an important event for New Yorkers and for the whole world,” de Blasio said. “But if we’re able to figure out the right formula to keep people safe, that’s what we’re working on right now.”
De Blasio did not elaborate what additional safety precautions were under consideration as discussions are ongoing, and previously said he will make a decision on the event before Christmas.
“I’m hopeful. We’ve got more work to do, and the jury’s not back yet, but I’m hopeful,” de Blasio continued.
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De Blasio announced earlier Wednesday that NYC recorded 11,000 new COVID-19 cases and 220 new hospitalizations. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates around 92 percent of all new cases in the region containing New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, were related to the omicron coronavirus variant.
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