New York’s New Year Plans are stifled by a “staggering” Omicron Surge

New York: As the Omicron variety sparks a “staggering” spike of Covid cases, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday that New York’s renowned New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square will be substantially cut back owing to the epidemic.

Normally, 58,000 New Yorkers congregate to see a massive ball drop to usher in the new year, but that number will be cut to 15,000 next week, with each guest forced to wear a mask and show proof of vaccination.

“The fully vaccinated crowd will be safe and healthy as we ring in the New Year,” stated de Blasio of the enhanced safety precautions.

Last New Year’s Eve, Times Square was mostly deserted, with only essential workers and invited visitors able to see the ball drop from socially isolated areas.

Due of the Omicron surge, several major world cities, including Paris and London, have cancelled their scheduled New Year celebrations.

On Wednesday, the mayor of New York City announced a “staggering” number of new Covid cases, roughly 11,000, across the city’s five boroughs.