Coronavirus NY: Pilot testing business reopening plan, starting with Bills playoff game
Coronavirus Update for New York
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A few thousand fans will be allowed at the Buffalo Bills' playoff game, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday.
It will be the first time fans have been in the stands at a professional sports competition in New York since the initial outbreak of COVID-19 led to the cancellation of many large-scale events back in March.
The agreement between the NYS Health Department, the Bills, and the NFL will allow for 6,700 fans to attend the game while abiding by social distancing guidelines and wearing masks.
Cuomo said the move could be the first step on the path to reopening restaurants and other large even spaces like Madison Square Garden and Broadway shows.
"If you can do it in Buffalo, 7,000 people, but it's outdoors and it's controlled, if it works there, can you do Madison Square Garden? Could you do a theater on Broadway? Could you do a certain capacity in a restaurant? So restaurants could start to reopen safely. That is the road that we are looking at," Cuomo said.
Cuomo said every fan will be tested for the coronavirus before the game and afterward the state will conduct contact tracing, the data from which will help officials make decisions on reopening businesses safely.
TRENDING NOW | Black teen accused of stealing phone in viral incident at NYC hotel says he's shell shocked
MORE CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 COVERAGE
Coronavirus by zip code - New York City
COVID Vaccine Calculator: Find out how many people may get a COVID-19 vaccine before you
Do you have coronavirus symptoms?
Where to get tested for COVID-19 coronavirus
WATCH: Eyewitness to a Pandemic
UPDATES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on coronavirus
Submit a News Tip
