New York scales back New Years Eve party in Times Square
New York (AFP) - New York's famous New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square will be drastically scaled back due to the pandemic, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday, as the Omicron variant fuels a "staggering" surge in Covid cases. Typically some 58,000 New Yorkers gather to watch a giant ball drop marking the arrival of a new year, but next week the capacity will be reduced to 15,000, with each attendee required to wear a mask and prove they have been vaccinated. The additional safety measures "will keep the fully vaccinated crowd safe and healthy as we ring in the New Year," said de Blasio....