New York Mayor "Possibility of Lockdown After Christmas"

Possibility of Consecutive Lockdowns Mentioned Despite Vaccine Distribution

Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York [Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The reissuance of a lockdown order in New York City to prevent the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is expected to take place after Christmas.

According to The New York Times, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a briefing on the 15th (local time), "It seems that a full lockdown similar to the one we had last spring will be necessary within a few weeks." Mayor de Blasio added that the lockdown measures could be implemented after Christmas.

Mayor de Blasio emphasized the need for lockdown measures in New York City for two consecutive days, following his statement the day before.

He explained that even if a lockdown order is issued, it will be somewhat different from the lockdown in March. The lockdown imposed in New York City last March caused most businesses, except supermarkets, to suspend operations.

Mayor de Blasio justified the lockdown measures by saying that since vaccines have begun to be distributed, with just a little effort, the coronavirus can be defeated.

He said, "If we put in the effort and the vaccines start to help, we can get out of it (the lockdown) within a few weeks."

Mayor de Blasio also announced plans to allow public schools, which recently resumed in-person classes, to continue normal attendance even if lockdown measures are implemented.

The reason New York City mentioned the resumption of lockdown orders is due to the assessment that the spread of COVID-19 has reached an uncontrollable situation. The positivity rate in New York, calculated by comparing confirmed cases to the number of tests conducted the previous day, was 5.51%, exceeding the 5% threshold set by New York City.

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