New York Mayor Eric Adams exempted the city's athletes and performers from the Big Apple's COVID-19 vaccine mandate following weeks of pressure after it kept Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving from playing in home games. Mayor Adams said, "Being healthy is not just about being physically healthy, but being economically healthy." The city's sweeping vaccine mandates — which led to the firings of more than 1,400 city employees — will still apply to both municipal and private-sector workers. 

Mayor Eric Adams exempted the city's athletes and performers from the Big Apple's COVID-19 vaccine mandate on Thursday following weeks of pressure after it kept Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving from playing in home games — and was expected to block some baseball players from taking the field next month.

Speaking at Citi Field and joined by executives of both the Mets and Yankees, Adams said Thursday that he has signed the order. The exemption was effective immediately.

"Being healthy is not just about being physically healthy, but being economically healthy," he said.