New York City will scale back its New Year's Eve party at Times Square due to a rise in infections.
This year's celebration will be limited to 15,000 people in viewing areas. Visitors will not be allowed to enter until 3 p.m., which is much later than in the past, according to the city's website.
Partygoers must wear masks at all times.
"There is a lot to celebrate, and these additional safety measures will keep the fully vaccined crowd safe and healthy as we ring in the New Year," de Blasio said.
New York is currently in the grip of a new wave of infections. The state's Department of Health reported 38,835 new positive cases on Wednesday. In New York City, 22,808 cases were reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that the omicron variant of the coronaviruses accounted for over ninety percent of cases in the metro area.
