New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks to reporters during a news conference at a pop-up vaccination site COVID-19 at the William Reid apartments in Brooklyn, New York, USA, January 23, 2021.
Altaffer | Reuters
Large stadiums and arenas in New York may reopen from February 23 with limited capacity, if pre-approved by the state Department of Health, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday.
Stadiums with a capacity of 10,000 or more will be limited to 10% of capacity and everyone entering the buildings must have a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of the event, he said. Facial coverage, social distance and temperature control on arrival will also be required, said Cuomo.
The first major event that state health officials have approved will take place at New York’s Barclays Center, where the Brooklyn Nets will play the Sacramento Kings on February 23, said Cuomo.
“Any major stadium or arena – hockey, basketball, football, soccer, baseball, music shows, performances – any major arena can open on February 23,” Cuomo told a news conference.
Source: The State of New York
This will be the first time since mid-March, when the coronavirus invaded the state of New York and overburdened its hospital system, that stadiums could be reopened to fans across the state. Cuomo said on Monday that the reopening of the state’s economy, including theaters and major concert halls, through Covid-19 testing is “something New York wants to lead”,
Much of the state’s plan to reopen arenas is based on a pilot program conducted in January, where nearly 7,000 football fans were allowed to watch the playoff game at Buffalo Bills’ home, provided they presented a negative Covid-19 test. Cuomo called the program “an unparalleled success”.
“This strikes the balance of a safe reopening,” said Cuomo.
The Democratic governor has gradually begun to lift more restrictions on companies in recent weeks, as the state distributed more doses of Covid-19 vaccines and its rate of positivity, or the percentage of all tests that returned positive, continued to decline from post-holiday increase.
New York’s positivity rate was 4.3% on Tuesday, below the 5% limit that experts previously suggested for the reopening. This is below a rate of almost 8% reported by New York on January 4 after the December holidays.
Beginning on Friday, New York City restaurants will be allowed to reopen their indoor dining sections with limited seating for the first time since mid-December. Cuomo said the state plans to allow weddings for up to 150 people, or 50% of the venue’s capacity, starting March 15.
The events will have requirements similar to those imposed on arenas and stadiums, including negative examinations among the guests and approval by the health department.