Show me your Papers: Fully Vaccinated with Proof will be Permitted to Gather in Times Square for New Year’s Eve Celebration

 

Outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday that fully vaccinated are welcome to attend and witness the ball drop in Times Square this New Year’s Eve, as long they bring proof of vaccination and I.D.

The ball drop will be de Blasio’s final day as mayor of the Big Apple and then Democrat Eric Adams will be inaugurated on Jan. 1, 2022.

“We are proud to announce the ball drop, everything, coming back full strength, hundreds of people there to celebrate. We can finally get back together again. It’s going to be amazing,” Mayor de Blasio said in a conference.

“We want to welcome all those hundreds of thousands of folks, but everyone needs to be vaccinated,” he added.  “Join the crowd, join the joy, join a historic moment as New York City provides further evidence to the world that we are 100 percent back.”

NBC reported:

All revelers need to bring to attend is proof of full vaccination — that includes anyone eligible, those ages 5 and older — and a valid photo ID. Apart from that requirement, there won’t be a cap on the Times Square crowd this Dec. 31.

Those who can’t get a COVID-19 vaccine because of a disability can still attend, though they must provide proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. Kids younger than age 5 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult and don’t need proof of a negative PCR test, at least at this point. Masks are mandatory for those who can’t be vaccinated because of age, medical or other approved reasons.

Times Square security checkpoints will be adjusted to allow additional time for NYPD and other officers to check the required documentation. More specifics will be released in the coming days, officials said, but the biggest news is out.

Last year, de Blasio received backlash after he shut down Times Square on New Year’s Eve so he can have his personal party and went there to dance with his wife.

You can watch the full conference here: