Tree-mendous shift
‘Pods’ of 4 need RSVP for Rock Ctr. ritual
O Tannenbummer! Visiting the Christmas tree in person at Rockefeller Center this year will require a reservation and includes a prohibition against parties of more than four people.
The strict guidelines announced Monday by Mayor de Blasio come as the number of people testing positive for COVID continues to increase.
As of Monday, the citywide COVID positivity rate hit 4.03% averaged out over seven days. The rate is the percentage of positive cases taken from the number of people tested on a given day and then averaged out over seven days.
The seven-day average of people testing positive in a day clocked in at 1,620.
De Blasio encouraged people to view this year’s tree-lighting ceremony, which takes place on Wednesday, from home to reduce the spread of the disease.
For those who brave the elements — and the pandemic — at Rockefeller Center, he said “pods” of up to four people will be allowed five minutes to view the yuletide spectacle and will have to make a reservation to do so.
“It’s a timed, socially distanced approach,” he said. “Obviously, it means it will be limited, the number of people that can get close.”
This year’s tree at Rockefeller Center became a subject of ridicule almost as soon as it arrived in Midtown Manhattan.
When the 75-foot tall Norway spruce showed up in town after being hauled from upstate Oneonta, people called it scraggly, likened it to something Charlie Brown might trot out and called it the perfect metaphor for 2020.
Despite all that, there will inevitably be many visitors, and Hizzoner said the city will be prepared.
Part of that will also involve restricting vehicular traffic in the area, a measure iit employedld llast year, by closing 49th and 50th Sts. between Fifth and Sixth Aves. to cars and trucks.
As has become his habit with such marquee events in the city, the mayor emphasized his hope and belief that next year will be better.
“Next year I look forward to so many of our traditions coming back so we can be there in person and enjoy them the way we always have,” he said. “But let’s stay safe this year so everyone can get through to next year and enjoy those traditions together.”