NY Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that New York will be re-opening large venues and stadiums to the public with limited capacity and COVID safety measures on February 23rd.

The decision comes following the “unparalleled success” of the Buffalo Bills demonstration, which saw 6,700 fans attending the NFL playoff game at Bills Stadium back in January. The testing pilot demonstration and achievement has expedited Governor Cuomo’s re-opening plan for large-scale venues throughout the state.

The plan applies to venues with a 10,000-person total capacity and will allow a strict 10% capacity limit for music shows, sporting events, and performances held in these spaces. 

Fans will only gain entry if they provide a negative PCR test within 72-hours of the event. Social distancing, mask-wearing, and temperature checks at the venue will be mandatory.  

With the Barclays Center already approved for hosting sporting events, other venues throughout the state will have to submit their plans to the State Department of Health for approval. According to the governor, the hope is that this initial in-person attendance program “will help inform the re-opening process for smaller venues in the future.”

via: CNBC