Juan Pablo Elverdin
(CNN) – New York City will once again welcome thousands of people to Times Square for the coveted tradition of the ball drop on December 31, as long as they show proof of covid-19 vaccination, authorities said Tuesday.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the return of the 2022 New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square this year, following last year’s virtual event, due to concerns about the pandemic.
“We want to welcome those hundreds of thousands of people, but everyone must be vaccinated,” warned the mayor. “All they have to do is have proof of vaccination and valid photo ID and they’re inside.”
The mayor said he has been working with the New York City Department of Health, the NYPD and other partners in preparation for the New Year’s Eve festivities in Times Square.
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“Join the crowd, join the joy, join a historic moment where New York City provides further proof to the world that we are 100% back,” said de Blasio.
Times Square Alliance chief Tom Harris joined the press conference to celebrate the celebration’s return in person, saying that all attendees age five and older will have to show proof of vaccination.
Harris said attendees with disabilities who cannot be vaccinated will need to show a negative PCR test within 72 hours. He added that children under the age of five must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult and that all people who cannot be vaccinated must wear a mask.
The-CNN-Wire
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