Eric Adams cancels Kings Theatre inauguration

The rising number of Covid-19 cases has forced the mayor-elect to cancel the January 1 event and postpone any gathering

In another striking sign of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the skyrocketing number of Covid-19 cases has forced Eric Adams to cancel his upcoming mayoral inauguration at Kings Theatre.

Originally planned for January 1, the first day Adams takes office, the mayor-elect made the decision Tuesday. He told reporters that all needs is a “mattress and a floor to execute being the mayor of the City of New York” and said that he doesn’t “want to put people in a dangerous environment.”

Brad Lander, the city’s comptroller-elect, and Jumaane Williams, the city’s public advocate, were also supposed to be part of the inauguration.

In a joint statement released with Adams on Tuesday, the trio said the celebration 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,” the statement continued. “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.”

Adams announced the celebration just a week ago, picking the iconic theater over the traditional inauguration location at City Hall.

“It is symbolically impactful for me to be inaugurated as New York City’s 110th mayor in the heart of Flatbush, on behalf of this working-class community and communities like it across the five boroughs who have elected one of their own to lead our recovery,” Adams said at the time.

The state reported more than 28,000 positive tests for Tuesday, marking the sixth straight day that more than 20,000 cases were recorded. Other events at Kings Theatre in the coming days have been cancelled, including the December 26 performance of “The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical.” An R&B concert on New Year’s Eve is still scheduled to go on.