Hold Off On Big Easter Gatherings Until Next Year, Mayor Warns

NEW YORK, NY — This weekend will be the "last time" New Yorkers will need to worry about limiting their Easter and Passover gatherings to protect against the coronavirus, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

"This is the last time we have to go through this — we will beat COVID once and for all in 2021 and then in 2022 all of our gatherings can go back to the way they were," the mayor said Thursday. "But, this year let’s focus on safety."

The mayor and New York City Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi laid out the "Safe Six" tips for how New Yorkers should celebrate safely for the holidays, including limiting gatherings and wearing masks.

The safety guidelines will be especially important in rounding the corner on the coronavirus crisis as the city races to beat rising new variants with its vaccine distribution.

Those who are vaccinated can take fewer precautions if celebrating with others who are fully vaccinated, but should remember they are only fully protected 14 days or more after the second dose, Chokshi said.

Seventy percent of New York City's coronavirus specimens tested in the last week were one of the new variants of the virus, Chokshi said.

"The next few weeks will be an absolutely crucial time in this public health crisis," he said.

Find Chokshi's tips for celebrating safely below.