Daddy Yankee joins the Times Square 1:22 farewell to the year
(CNN) -
Next week's New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square will be "reduced" with fewer attendees and everyone will have to wear a mask, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio's office said Thursday.
The celebration in Times Square generally has about 58,000 people in viewing areas, but this year it will be limited to 15,000 people and visitors will not be able to enter the area until 3 p.m., the office said in a press release.
In addition, everyone will be required to wear a mask and show photo identification at the all-open event, de Blasio's office said.
As previously announced, all visitors to the Times Square celebration must show proof of vaccination if they are over the age of 5.
Any unvaccinated child under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult to attend, the mayor's office said.
Earlier this week, De Blasio said city officials were reviewing plans for the event in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases and the spread of the highly communicable omicron variant of the coronavirus.
On Tuesday, he said he was hopeful the event could go ahead as planned.
The changes came a couple of days later.
The additional measures "will keep the fully vaccinated crowd safe and healthy as we ring in the New Year," de Blasio said in Thursday's press release.
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"This year's holiday season may not be what we expected, but we can still have a happy holiday season," City Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi said in the press release.
"All New Yorkers should get vaccinated and boosted as soon as possible. Wear a quality face mask and stay home if you feel sick, no matter how mild your symptoms are."
Mayor-elect Eric Adams, who will take office on January 1, said De Blasio "made the right decision to take precautionary measures as we learn to live with covid-19 and fight the omicron variant."
"New Yorkers and visitors can now enjoy Times Square and the rest of our city when 2022 rolls around," Adams said in the press release.
In November, de Blasio announced the return of an in-person New Year's Eve celebration "big, strong and full force" in Times Square this year after his virtual event last year due to concerns about the pandemic.
The usual countdown and famous ball drop occurred last year, but no crowds were allowed in the streets.
Other cities also held small celebrations.
CNN's Laura Ly reported from New York and Jason Hanna wrote from Atlanta.
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