Dec. 24 (Reuters) – New York will drastically reduce the number of people allowed to sit in Times Square for New Years Eve, US metropolitan mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday, in a decision taken in the face of soaring crowds. coronavirus contaminations caused by the Omicron variant.
For a second consecutive year, the health crisis has cast a shadow over festivities that traditionally bring together thousands of people in and around the famous Manhattan Square.
The event, which culminated in the arrival of a giant crystal ball for the countdown, was also watched on television by millions of people around the world.
New York will reduce by about two-thirds the number of people who can sit in the heart of Times Square, in order to allow respect for social distancing. To be able to access it, you will need to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and wear a mask.
In a statement, Bill de Blasio said the number of “spectators”, traditionally around 58,000, would drop to around 15,000. (Report Kanishka Singh Bangalore; French version Jean Terzian)