By Prince Hakeem
On Wednesday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that New York sports teams are allowed to host fans and attendees again starting February 23. Entertainment and sports venues with 10,000 or more seats have the go-ahead pending they follow the rules and could protocol set by the Department of Health.
Governor Cuomo cited the success of the Buffalo Bills’ 7500 fans in attendance for a home playoff game as reasoning for his decision to reopen arenas. Sports franchises like the Nets, Knicks, Rangers, Sabres, and Islanders can welcome back fans as soon as their venues get approval from the Health Department. These stadiums will be limited to 10% capacity. For fans to return, they will have to show proof of a negative P.C.R. test taken within 72 hours of the event. They will also be required to remain socially distanced and wear face coverings at games.
While Cuomo acknowledges that the risks involved, he believes that there is a way to “get this economy open intelligently and in a balanced way.”
“This is a difficult time on many, many levels,” Cuomo said. “Personally, it’s tough. Emotionally it isn’t easy. Economically it isn’t easy. But we are finding the balance, and we are going to be the better for it.”
To kick things off, the Barclays Center had already been approved to host fans on February 23 for the Nets’ game against the Sacramento Kings.
