Major Stadiums, Arenas Can Open Feb. 23, Cuomo Says

Stadiums and arenas with a capacity of 10,000 or more people can reopen  Feb. 23, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Wednesday.

Venues have to follow several guidelines, including Department of Health approval, capacity limitations, testing requirements, mandatory face coverings, temperature checks, and limited, assigned, socially distanced seating.

 The Barclays Center has already been approved  for the Brooklyn Nets  Feb. 23 game against the Sacramento Kings. 

“While we continue to fight COVID on multiple fronts, we must also get this economy re-opened intelligently and in a balanced way,” Cuomo said. “Live sports and entertainment have long been engrained in the fabric of New York and the inability to hold events has only added to the isolation we have all felt at the hands of this virus.”

Specifically, in order to re-open venues to professional sports, sites must:

  • Obtain DOH approval for both venues and events
  • Institute a 10 percent 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 coverings, social distancing and temperature checks for all those in attendance
  • Mandate assigned, socially distanced seating
  • Collect contact information from all those in attendance to help inform contact tracing efforts
  • Meet enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards
  • Ensure retail, food services and athletic activities abide by all state-issued guidance

 

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