Cuomo says the effort to get Buffalo Bills fans into the stadium involves more than football

Syracuse, NY – Governor Andrew Cuomo defended the state’s efforts today to open a few thousand seats for Buffalo Bills fans amid the coronavirus pandemic for the team’s next playoff game.

The plan, overseen by the state Department of Health, would allow 6,700 fans to watch the game – but only after testing each person for Covid-19.

The goal, Cuomo said today, is not just to allow fans to enter the Bills stadium in the year that the team won their first AFC East title in 25 years.

It could provide a model for quickly testing large groups of people and thus reopening other economic activities that are still suspended because of the pandemic.

“It’s not just about watching a football game,” said Cuomo today. “We are trying to find a way to reopen companies.”

There is still no final decision on the plan.

The idea drew criticism from some, including state lawmakers, who said football should not be a priority.

Today, Cuomo argued that, despite the early distribution of vaccines, it will be months before enough people are inoculated and large groups can meet again. This means that, for example, one of New York City’s main tourist attractions – Broadway – may be closed for much of 2021.

“We need to have a model that shows that we can start reopening business,” he said. “Can you use the test to reopen a company safely? And can you do this on a large scale? “

Cuomo also noted that other NFL teams and stadiums are allowing some fans without testing procedures. “The model that DOH is using is smart,” he said of the state Department of Health.

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