To attract tourists, New York wants to offer them a vaccine

“Big Apple” is usually the most visited city in the United States. In 2018, it still broke its attendance record with 65.2 million visitors including 13.5 million foreigners, according to the NYC & Company. But this success has obviously been halted since last year by the coronavirus pandemic. According to Nbc New York, the collapse of its tourism industry caused the loss of 89,000 jobs and 60 billion.

The mayor of the city, Bill de Blasio, intends to bring back tourists. And to do this, he had the idea to offer them to be vaccinated on the spot. Mobile vaccination vans should therefore offer free doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (which only requires one administration) at emblematic places such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, the High Line or even the Brooklyn Bridge. Park.

“It’s a positive message for tourists. Come here for sure and we’ll take care of you. We’ll make sure you get vaccinated while you’re here with us,” he rejoiced in the American press.

The elected official also announced that these mobile vaccination centers were ready to be deployed this week. However, for this initiative to take place, state law must still be changed to allow vaccination of non-New Yorkers who do not work there. The mayor’s teams are reportedly currently in consultation with the administration of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to discuss this point.

–