A new mobile vaccination site will be put in place right outside the Barclays Center, just in time for the NBA playoffs. Those who are vaccinated will be entered into a lottery for a chance to win playoffs tickets to a Nets home game.
It’s part of the push from Mayor Bill de Blasio to get New Yorkers vaccinated by giving incentives to those who do. Just last week he announced that those who show their vaccination card at Shake Shack will get free french fries through the month of May.
“This is going to be another extraordinary effort to get people vaccinated and make everyone safe,” said Mayor de Blasio, while wearing a Nets jersey and hat.
The new vaccination site is going to focus on the 33 neighborhoods identified by the Mayor’s Task Force on Racial Inclusion and Equity.
“The Nets and the whole NBA to their credit are focused on social justice, are focused on attacking the disparities we learned during the COVID crisis,” said de Blasio. “They are focused on equality so they are going to focus on people who live in the neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID.”
Those who have already been vaccinated already and live in one of the 33 neighborhoods will be allowed to enter a contest to win playoff tickets.
“We’re really delighted to be part of the vaccine effort with the mobile vaccination site across from Barclays Center,” said Nets CEO John Abbamondi.
The Barclays Center will be expanding its fan capacity during the playoffs. Most people in the arena will be required to be fully vaccinated. Only a handful of sections will be available to those who aren’t fully vaccinated.
“We’re really looking to our fans to get vaccinated,” said Abbamondi.
De Blasio said that over 20,000 12-15 year olds have been vaccinated and the total of vaccinated people is now over 7.5 million people. De Blasio hopes the Nets tickets incentive will get more people vaccinated.
“This is going to be an amazing opportunity to see one of the greatest teams in a long time and a team that is going to bring glory to Brooklyn and New York City,” said de Blasio.
