Governor Cuomo announces sporting and entertainment events at major stadiums and arenas may reopen with limited numbers from February 23

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that, based on the successful Buffalo Bills pilot program, sporting and entertainment events in major stadiums and arenas with a capacity of at least 10,000 people can reopen with a limited number of spectators from February 23. Established as part of the successful Buffalo Bills pilot program, venues and events must follow similar guidelines, including Department of Health approval for venues and events, capacity limits, requirements for tests, mandatory facial blankets, temperature checks and assigned social distancing seats.

The Department of Health’s work to inspect eligible venues statewide is already underway, and thanks to that work, the Barclays Center was cleared to reopen on February 23 for the Brooklyn Nets home game against the Sacramento. Kings. The success of this event, and similar events at approved venues over the coming weeks, will help inform the reopening process for smaller venues in the future.

“As we continue to fight COVID on multiple fronts, we also need to reopen this economy in a smart and balanced way.” Governor Cuomo said. “Sports and live entertainment have long been ingrained in the fabric of New York City and the inability to host events has only added to the isolation we all have felt at the hands of this virus. Fortunately, our pilot program to reopen the Buffalo Bills games to fans has been an unprecedented success and now we are embracing this model and expanding it to other major venues across the state to not only reinvigorate local economies, but also help bring fun and joy back into people’s lives as safely as possible. “

More specifically, to reopen the sites to professional sports, the sites must:

• Obtain DOH approval for venues and events
• Introduce a 10% capacity limit in arenas and stadiums
• Ensure all staff and spectators receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of the event
• Mandate face blankets, social distancing and temperature checks for everyone in attendance
• Assigned mandate, socially remote headquarters
• Collect contact details of everyone present to help inform contact tracing efforts
• Meet improved standards for filtration, ventilation and air purification
• Ensure retail, food service and sporting activities meet all state issued guidelines