New York Gov. Cuomo says Barclays Center, other large arenas in the state, can reopen starting Feb. 23

Giant stadiums and arenas in New York can reopen starting Feb. 23 with restricted capability if preapproved by the state’s division of well being, Gov. Andrew Cuomo introduced on Wednesday.

Stadiums that seat 10,000 or extra individuals can be restricted to 10% capability and everybody getting into the buildings should current a destructive Covid-19 take a look at inside 72 hours of the occasion, he mentioned. Face coverings, social distancing and temperature checks upon arrival additionally can be required, Cuomo mentioned.

The primary main occasion that has already been authorized by state well being officers will happen at New York Metropolis’s Barclays Heart, the place the  Brooklyn Nets will play towards the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 23, Cuomo mentioned.

“Any massive stadium or enviornment — hockey, basketball, soccer, soccer, baseball, music exhibits, performances — any massive enviornment can open on Feb. 23,” Cuomo mentioned at a press briefing.

This would be the first time since mid-March, when the coronavirus first ripped via New York state and overloaded its hospital system, that stadiums can be allowed to reopen to followers throughout the state. Cuomo mentioned on Monday that reopening the state’s economic system, together with theaters and huge venues, via Covid-19 testing is “one thing the place New York desires to paved the way,” 

A lot of the state’s plan to reopen arenas is predicated on a pilot program it carried out in January, the place almost 7,000 soccer followers have been allowed to attend the Buffalo Payments’ house playoff sport so long as they introduced a destructive Covid-19 take a look at. Cuomo known as this system “an unparalleled success.”

“This hits the steadiness of secure reopening,” Cuomo mentioned.

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