Free vaccination for tourists to New York: Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan

New York plans to offer this weekend Johnson & Johnson Single Dose Vaccines tourists to local attractions such as Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park, with prior approval from state officials, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.

“It’s a positive message for tourists: come here for sure, it’s a great place, we’ll take care of you and make sure you get vaccinated while you’re with us. It can start as soon as it’s approved and we’re ready for this weekend. ” the Democratic mayor said at a press conference.

De Blasio underlined the importance of the return of tourism to New York, for which he allocated some $ 30 million to which It will be the biggest tourist campaign in the city’s history for this summer., although the bulk of tourism so far has been domestic due to covid-19 restrictions on entry to the United States.

The mayor stressed that he was working with the state – led by Governor, also Democrat Andrew Cuomo – to “change” current legislation and allow the Big Apple to “provide vaccines to people outside the city” or ” no to New Yorkers. “

The measure could make vaccination more attractive for those who still doubt in the country, where there is already universal access to different vaccines for all adults, but also could generate vaccination tourism for foreigners when the borders are opened, depending on the nature of this legislative change.

State governments and businesses across the country have been creative in recent weeks to encourage citizens to get vaccinated, offering a myriad of products and services to those who present their vaccination vouchers, such as beers. , marijuana cigarettes or sports tickets.

New York has set a July 1 deadline for the city to fully reopen and the green light has already been given to full commercial capacity later this month, although the curtain raiser on Broadway, one of the main tourist attractions, will arrive a little later, on September 14.

“Part of identity and economy”

Broadway shows will return to the stage on September 14 after a 18 month break to fight the coronavirus pandemic, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday.

Tickets go on sale this Thursday and theaters will be able to operate at 100% of their capacityCuomo said. Broadway theaters are one of New York’s major tourist attractions.

“Broadway is an important part of our state’s identity and economy and we are delighted the curtains are rising,” the governor said on Twitter.

Live theater is one of the latest industries to make a comeback after the pandemic due to the challenges of social distancing for actors, backstage crews and crowded spectators in old buildings.

Thousands of actors, dancers, musicians and backstage workers were left out of work when Broadway theaters closed in March 2020. Some shows, like the hit musicals “Frozen” and “Mean Girls,” have said they won’t be back. Thirty-one Broadway shows were in production when the shutdown began.

Each show will announce its return date in the coming weeks, said the Broadway League, an industry group.

More than 14.8 million tickets were sold for Broadway plays in the 2018-19 season which peaked in May, generating $ 1.8 billion, according to the Broadway League. About 63% of the spectators were tourists, from outside the United States or from outside New York.

With information from EFE and Reuters

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