Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday insisted that his “preference” remains to move forward with plans for the return of the city’s in-person New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square — despite an explosion in cases caused by the omicron variant.

Speaking to MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”, de Blasio said, “We’d like that event to move forward so long as we can do it safely and that will be a decision with the health care leaders.”

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De Blasio said the city is looking into additional safety measures that could be put in place in order to move forward with the annual celebration.

“So the preference is to keep it on. It’s a very important event to the city and to the world. And again, we don’t want to live in defeat or surrender to COVID,” de Blasio said.

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The Mayor further pointed out that COVID-19 vaccinations are already required for all attendees and that the crowds will be gathered outdoors.

“The doctors say the outdoors is one of the biggest difference-makers in the two years of COVID. We have learned if you’re going to do something and you have the option, go outdoors. It makes a huge, huge difference,” he said.

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Earlier, de Blasio had said he would make a decision before Christmas on whether to cancel or change precautions for the celebration.