New York Governor Cuomo says Barclays Center, other major arenas in the state, may reopen from February 23

New York’s major stadiums and arenas may reopen from February 23 with limited capacity if pre-approved by the state Department of Health, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday.

Stadiums that can accommodate 10,000 people or more will be limited to 10% of their capacity and anyone entering buildings must show a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of the event, he said. Face blankets, social distancing and temperature checks on arrival will also be required, Cuomo said.

The first major event state health officials have already approved will take place at the Barclays Center in New York City, where the Brooklyn Nets play against the Sacramento Kings on February 23, Cuomo said.

“Any major stadium or arena – hockey, basketball, soccer, football, baseball, music shows, performances – any major stadium can open on February 23,” Cuomo said at a press briefing.

This will be the first time since mid-March, when the coronavirus first tore New York state and overwhelmed its hospital system, that stadiums will be allowed to reopen to fans statewide. Cuomo said Monday that reopening the state’s economy, including theaters and major venues, through Covid-19 testing was “something New York wants to lead the way.”

Much of the state’s plan to reopen the arenas is based on a pilot program it conducted in January, where nearly 7,000 football fans were allowed to attend the Buffalo Bills home playoff game as long as they had a negative Covid-19 test. Cuomo called the program “an unprecedented success.”

“It strikes the balance of a safe reopening,” Cuomo said.

The Democratic governor has gradually started lifting more restrictions on businesses in recent weeks as the state rolls out more doses of Covid-19 vaccines and its positivity rate, or the percentage of all tests returning positive, continues to decline compared to a post-vacation flare. .

New York’s positivity rate was 4.3% on Tuesday, below the 5% threshold experts previously suggested for reopening. That’s down from the nearly 8% rate reported by New York City on January 4 after the December vacation.

Starting Friday, restaurants in New York City will be allowed to reopen their limited-capacity indoor dining sections for the first time since mid-December. Cuomo said the state aims to allow weddings capped at 150 people, or 50% of a venue’s capacity, starting March 15.

Events will have similar requirements to arenas and stadiums, including negative testing among guests and approval from the health department.