"I'm going to have to make some tough choices. People are going to disagree with some of them. But I have to move this city forward. It's about putting New York athletes on a level playing field “, justified Mr. Adams during a press conference at Citi Field, the stadium of the Mets, a team playing in the baseball championship (MLB).
Thanks to this decision, basketball players (Knicks, Nets) and baseball players (Yankees, Mets) whose season will soon begin, among others, will be able to play at home even if they are not vaccinated against Covid-19.
Irving, who refuses to be vaccinated and only played away games for the Nets after being sidelined for much of the season by management, will make his home debut on Saturday against Charlotte.
"We welcome the mayor's conclusion that the old measures that treated host players and visiting players differently no longer make sense, especially since unvaccinated basketball players will continue to be tested daily," the NBA said. recalling that 97% of players were vaccinated and that 75% had received their 3rd dose.
This lifting of the vaccination obligation, which also concerns artists, should contribute to the economic recovery of the city, added Mr. Adams, arguing that "athletes attract people to the stadium".
On the other hand, the measure is maintained for other employees in the city of New York, whether in the private or the public.
This arouses many criticisms, in particular from several unions castigating unequal treatment.
© 2022 AFP