New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a plan to vaccinate performers and theatre producers and eventually allow for the return of Broadway after more than a year.
"It's time to raise the curtain and bring Broadway back," Mr de Blasio said on Thursday.
Vaccination sites will soon be set up in the Broadway district for those involved in productions to be inoculated.
Mr de Blasio also announced a mobile vaccination unit that would inoculate people at off-Broadway sites throughout the city.
He said the city was working on pop-up coronavirus testing sites near theatres and gave details of crowd management for when shows eventually open.
"We have to get the theatre community ready for the fall," Mr de Blasio said. "By the time we get there, the world will be better."
He it was hoped that the plan could help Broadway productions to officially reopen in the autumn of 2021.
Productions have shutdowns in place until June 7, with no clear timeline on reopening.
Theatres have been shut since mid-March 2020, a damaging blow to the city's economy, which depends on tourism, dining and entertainment.
It is estimated that Broadway contributes $15 billion to the city's economy each year.
The industry provided about 100,000 jobs, and staff and performers largely had to seek other entertainment opportunities or find different jobs over the past year.
Many joined the mass departure from the city that has occurred with the pandemic.
“Today’s announcement is an important recognition from the city of New York that a strong theatre industry means a healthy, strong economy,” said Mary McColl, executive director of the Actors’ Equity Association.
But Mr de Blasio's plan depends on approval by New York state.
"We will propose our own ideas to the state, but we need them to take action," he said.
"To put together a Broadway show is a huge endeavour, so they need guidance now."
The question for many theatre operators is what will be the rules for crowd numbers and coronavirus measures.
Many have shared concerns that limiting capacity may make reopening not worthwhile.
New York City has allowed cinemas to reopen at 25 per cent capacity or with a limit of 50 people for each screen. Indoor dining has also reopened at 50 per cent capacity.
Large indoor sports and concert venues have also reopened, with 10 per cent capacity, social distancing and proof of a negative PCR test required for all attending.
The New York Department of Health says about 3,600 infections are recorded each day.
The city was the global centre of the pandemic in March and April 2020.
More than 30,000 New Yorkers have died from Covid-19.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,000mm, Winners: Mumayaza, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winners: Sharkh, Pat Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep - Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Harrab, Ryan Curatolo, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Gold Cup - Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nibras Passion, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ismail Mohammed
