The party of New Year 2023 in the iconic Times Square, in New York, returns to normal this Saturday after two years of covid-19, which led to holding the event with a greatly reduced capacity in 2020 and maintaining certain restrictions in 2021.
The local police have said that there is no “credible” threat against the city, but it will deploy thousands of agents throughout the central zone of Manhattan and it will control access to the “crossroads of the world”, where concerts can be seen before the traditional descent of the crystal ball at midnight.
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This December 31, Times Square will be able to reach its maximum capacity for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic: in 2020 only a small group of frontline workers attended and in 2021 the capacity was reduced to 15,000 people, well below the usual 60,000.
“This shows that we are survivors, that we are overcoming the pandemic, finding a new normal, moving forward and not backward, and that the new year brings much to be hopeful for,” one of the organizers, Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance, told CBS.
However, Security requirements will be applied that represent a barrier for many, starting with enduring the cold: people come early to get a good spot before the festivities start at 6 pm, even though there are many blocked streets and only four entry points.
In addition, to enter the venue it is forbidden to carry large backpacks, umbrellas, chairs and alcoholic beverages, among other things.and whoever leaves the place before midnight does not have their return guaranteed, according to the Police recalled in a Twitter message.
In any case, the authorities NY they do not apply restrictions for events abroad nor will they ask for proof of vaccination against coronavirus, in accordance with current regulations. The nearly six-hour event will be led by a musical lineup in which Chelsea Cutler and JVKE stand out, far from other New Year’s Eve divas such as Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera or Mariah Carey, and will be broadcast by a multitude of television channels.