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What there is to know
- Governor Andrew Cuomo launched a pilot project with the Buffalo Bills to welcome fans to two playoff games in January; they had to show proof of a negative test and follow certain stadium rules
- Declaring the effort an “unprecedented success,” Cuomo said on Wednesday that other major arenas and venues in New York City could reopen to the public from February 23 with tests and other requirements in place.
- The governor has said for months that testing is key to reopening entertainment, offices and more faster before immunization reaches critical mass; he says NY can’t stay closed that long
Declaring New York State’s demonstration with the Buffalo Bills an “unprecedented success,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced he would expand the test-based program to any major stadium or arena later this this month.
Fans who provide a negative PCR test within 72 hours of an event will be able to attend music shows and performances as well as baseball, football, soccer and basketball games. The arenas can open to the public on February 23.
Some rules and restrictions apply to get started, Cuomo said. There is a strict 10 percent capacity limit in arenas and stadiums with a total capacity of over 10,000 people. Sites must submit their plans to the State Department of Health for approval. Basic mitigation efforts such as mask wear, temperature checks and mandatory seating to ensure social distancing will also be needed.
The Barclays Center has already been cleared to reopen on day one, Feb. 23, and will host fans for the Nets game against the Sacramento Kings, Cuomo said, adding, “Anyone else interested should let us know.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Wednesday he was speaking with the state and the Nets about his hopes to turn Barclays into a mass vaccination site for the city, so it’s not clear how Cuomo’s announcement might. affect his plans.
In the meantime, the Mets’ new majority owner Steve Cohen said on Wednesday he wanted to ship Citi Field, currently used as a city-run mass vaccination site. He hopes the stadium will be ready for fans for the 2021 season opener against Miami on April 8, although capacity is limited.
“I think there will be fans. We don’t know exactly what percentage of the stadium will be filled, but it will probably be at least 10 to 15 percent,” Cohen said. “We are hopeful – people get vaccinated and maybe things get slacker over time.”
People are starting to head to Citi Field as it opens to the public today as a site for mass vaccination, Katherine Creag reports
Cuomo said testing is the most critical key to the reopening equation in these early stages.
“I can go to the President of the United States, take a test, and if I pass it, enter the Oval Office,” the governor said. “Why? If you are negative, you are negative. Testing is the key.”
He added that the plan he unveiled on Wednesday “strikes the balance of a safe reopening. A PCR test is as safe as it gets.”
Cuomo has said for months that testing is key to reopening entertainment and sports venues, offices and more before the vaccination hits critical mass. He said New York State and City cannot remain closed for as long as it takes to achieve collective immunity, which will likely remain in several months.
The governor laid the groundwork for the plan by launching a pilot program with the Buffalo Bills to host two playoff games in January; supporters had to show proof of a negative test before the match and follow certain stadium rules. This will be the model for the safe and smart reopening of New York City, which has seen its positivity rates drop for the past month after the holidays.
Statewide hospitalizations stood at 7,593 on Wednesday, the lowest total for two days after Christmas.
Monday was the first day people over 75 and essential workers – including police, firefighters and teachers – were allowed to receive the vaccines in New York City. NBC New York’s Gaby Acevedo reports.
Could Broadway be next? What about concerts at Madison Square Garden? The indoor / outdoor dilemma is real, Cuomo said, but continues to claim testing is key to a more immediate rebirth of the arts, culture and sports that are so foundational of the vibrance that was in New York City before. the pandemic. New York can – and will – become so vibrant again, Cuomo says.
To further accelerate the renaissance, Cuomo announced the launch of NY PopsUp, an arts festival featuring hundreds of free pop-up shows across the state, including New York City. It will launch on February 20 and will take place during Labor Day.
Daily percentage of positive tests by New York region
Governor Andrew Cuomo divides the state into 10 regions for testing and tracks positivity rates to identify potential hot spots. Here is the latest monitoring data by region and for the five boroughs. For the latest county-wide statewide results, click here
“Cities have taken a hard hit during COVID, and the economy won’t come back fast enough on its own – we have to bring it back,” Cuomo said in his announcement earlier this week. “Creative synergies are vital to the survival of cities, and our arts and cultural industries have been shut down across the country, wreaking havoc on workers and the economy.
“We want to be aggressive with the reopening of the state and getting our economy back on track, and NY PopsUp will be an important bridge to the wider reopening of our world-class venues and institutions,” he said. he adds. “New York has been a leader throughout this pandemic, and we will once again lead in bringing back the arts.”
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