Residents in New York will soon be able to watch sporting events in person according to a report from Reuters on Wednesday noting that stadiums and arenas will open up to the general public with limited capacity.
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York state will allow large stadiums and arenas, such as Citi Field and Madison Square Garden, to reopen for sports and concerts later this month, with sharply limited capacity and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Any stadium that can fit more than 10,000 people can stage events beginning on Feb. 23 at 10% capacity so long as the state’s Department of Health signs off on its safety plans, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday.
Brooklyn’s Barclays Center has already won approval for a basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Sacramento Kings on that day, Cuomo said.
Reuters
In addition to the limited capacity, visitors will obviously be required to wear face masks and practice social distancing, however, in addition to these pretty typical measures, visitors must also prove they’ve tested negative for COVID-19 at least 72 hours prior to the event.
Additionally, there’s no word on how NYC officials will move forward with mass vaccination sites located at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx or Citi Field in Queens with baseball season quickly approaching. There have reportedly been ongoing discussions though in regard to mass vaccination efforts and the start of baseball season when the Yankees and Mets will be returning to their respective home stadiums.