NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced an incentive program to boost vaccination rates in New York City.
The mayor said Monday that the city will offer free tickets and deals to some of the city's most iconic attractions when New Yorkers get vaccinated.
"We're talking about the New York Botanical Garden, the New York City Aquarium, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the Bronx Zoo, membership to the Public Theater, events at Lincoln Center, all these things are free when you get vaccinated," de Blasio said. "Tickets to Brooklyn Cyclones games, tickets to NYCFC."
More details will be announced in the coming days.
"From this point on, there will be many, many opportunities to get great, great prizes when you get vaccinated," de Blasio said. "We want people to know it's time, and it's going to just make it so much better for everyone else too. Each additional person who gets vaccinated helps us move everything else forward."
De Blasio said at this time the city is not looking to offer a cash incentive, but he adds "I won't take anything off the table."
New York City has surpassed 7 million doses from the beginning of its vaccination effort.
The COVID positivity rate in the city is at about 2% — the lowest since Nov. 2, 2020.
The mayor also announced Monday that New York City, Queens and Brooklyn public libraries are back open for browsing.
"Starting today, our libraries are back for people to come in, spend time reading, check out new books and materials," de Blasio said. "This is another one of these turning point moments to have the libraries back for everyone."