Cuomo Says Large NY Arenas, Venues Can Reopen Feb. 23 With Testing; Barclays to Host Fans That Day
"The truth is, we cannot stay closed until everyone is vaccinated. The economic, psychological, emotional cost would be incredible," the governor of New York says
By Jennifer Millman • Published 8 mins ago • Updated 5 seconds ago
BREAKING UPDATE: Declaring New York state's demonstration with the Buffalo Bills an "unparalleled success," Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday he will extend the rapid testing based program to any large stadium or arena.
That means 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, soccer, football and basketball games. Arenas can open to the public Feb. 23. Barclays Center has been cleared to reopen on that day and has been granted approval to host fans for the Nets game against the Sacramento Kings, Cuomo said.
Certain rules and restrictions apply. There is a strict 10 percent capacity limit in arenas and stadiums with more than 10,000-person total capacity. Venues have to submit their plans to the State Department of Health for approval. Core mitigation efforts like mask-wearing, temperature checks and mandatory assigned seating to ensure social distancing will also be required.
"The testing to me is key. I can go see the president of the United States, take a test and if I pass the test, walk into the Oval Office," the governor said. "Why? If you're negative, you're negative. Testing is the key."
"This hits the balance of safe reopening," he added. "A PCR test is as safe as you can get.
Cuomo has said for months that
rapid testing is the key to faster reopenings of entertainment, offices and more crowded areas before vaccination reaches critical mass. He has long said New York state and city can't stay shut down for the many months more it will take to reach that goal of herd immunity.
EARLIER: Gov. Andrew Cuomo is
expanding on his plans Tuesday for a safe and smart reopening of New York before vaccination hits critical mass, which he says could be nearly another year out. The state -- and the vibrant city -- can't wait that long.
There may be a way to boost the struggling economy without waiting for that point, Cuomo says. Early evidence showed his
first-in-the-nation testing pilot program with the Buffalo Bills over the weekend, in which 6,700 fans showed negative tests and agreed to contact tracing after attending the game socially distant but in person, appeared to be a success -- so much so that fans can attend the team's second playoff game Saturday in person under the same rules.
Could rapid testing be the answer? Could Broadway reopen this year? What about concerts at Madison Square Garden? The indoor vs. outdoor dilemma is a real one, Cuomo says, but rapid tests may be the key to a more immediate revival.
NY Expands Vaccination Rollout; NJ's Union County Vaccines Slots Left Opened
Monday was the first day that people over 75 and essential workers — including police officers, firefighters and teachers — were allowed to receive the vaccines in New York. NBC New York's Gaby Acevedo reports.
"With this new network of rapid testing locations, a customer can stop into a new rapid testing facility, get tested, and 15 minutes later be cleared for dinner or a movie," Cuomo's State of the State agenda read. (
See more on his seven-point plan for rebuilding and reimaging New York here.)
In a follow-up State of the State Day 2 address Tuesday, Cuomo said he wants to work with the real estate community to open additional rapid testing sites so New Yorkers can take a test prior to whatever activity they plan to do.
Along with that come hopes of reopening office buildings; many commercial properties have already agreed to offer testing services to all tenants of their buildings on a regular basis, he said. Cuomo believes that will accelerate the return of the arts and culture scene across New York City and state.
To support that end, the state is launching New York Arts Revival, a private and public partnership to bring the arts back, the governor said. That group will organize pop-up performances and events throughout the state, beginning in early February. All of the events will be held outdoors to minimize risk of exposure.
"This groundbreaking initiative will help revive the arts while celebrating new York's resiliency and recovery from the COVID pandemic," Cuomo said.
He also announced the launch of a number of new initiatives, including one to put more than 1,000 artists back to work and fund community arts groups and another on future jobs as well as an overarching Commission on the Future of the New York Economy, led by NYU's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
"The post-COVID economy is still taking shape. we know it will be different. we just don't know precisely how it will be different," Cuomo said.
"This commission will help draw a roadmap to find opportunities for New Yorkers to get back to work in jobs that pay well in industries that will grow rather than disappear in the coming decades," he added. "They will study the economic issues that the crisis brought to the surface and also the low-tide America issues: the inequalities and structural racism that COVID exposed."
Among other proposals, Cuomo called Tuesday to expand SUNY's online training center, converting hotels and office buildings underutilized amid the pandemic into affordable housing and sweeping reform as it relates to broadband access.
"I propose a first in the nation mandate that Internet service providers recognize their public responsibility and offer $15 per month high speed internet service to all low-income households," Cuomo said Tuesday.
To bridge the gap, he said the state would establish a fund to subsidize broadband for families that cannot afford the $15 monthly fee. Without universal broadband access, the governor said, "the public education system that was supposed to be the great equalizer, becomes the great divider."
Even as Cuomo looks to develop New York's plan forward in a safe, economically expeditious manner, he says all must bear in mind the painful lessons learned over the course of this current crisis.
As the governor said Monday, "As we all now realize, there will be a next time."
Declaring New York state’s demonstration with the Buffalo Bills an “unparalleled success,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday he will extend the testing- based program to any large stadium or arena later this month. Fans who provide a negative PCR test within 72 hours of an event will be able...
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@gene cisco
You have to be your own fucking advocate.
nypost.com
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Damn. Browns can't get a break. Hope them cats don't spread that shit to the Buckeyes and ruin the championship game next week.
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