New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams says he is postponing his inauguration come January 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ABC 7 reported.
In a statement, the Mayor-elect said this is due to the omicron variant of Covid-19 spike in cases that present a serious risk to public health.
The inauguration event was planned to be held on Saturday night, January 1st, at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn. Adams had planned the event especially for Motzei Shabbos so that his many Orthodox Jewish supporters could attend.
Despite not having an inaugural celebration on January 1, Adams said he’s ready to lead.
“I don’t need an inauguration, all I need is a mattress and a floor to execute being the mayor of the City of New York,” he said. “I don’t need an inauguration.”
Adams, Comptroller-elect Brad Lander, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams released a joint statement, saying:
“Dear fellow New Yorkers, it is clear that our city is facing a formidable opponent in the omicron variant of COVID-19, and that the spike in cases presents a serious risk to public health. After consulting with public health experts, we have decided that our joint inauguration ceremony will be postponed to a later date in order to prioritize the health of all who were planning to attend, cover, and work on this major event.
“We thank the Kings Theatre for their interest in hosting this exciting moment in our city’s history, and everyone who has been working hard to plan this celebration. We look forward to getting together in person with our loved ones, colleagues, and well-wishing New Yorkers to honor this great democratic tradition, and to thank all those who have made it possible, at a safer time in the weeks ahead.
“Health and safety must come first. We encourage all New Yorkers to get vaccinated, get boosted, and get tested. That is our pathway out of this pandemic, and we will come out of it together.”
