Cuomo OKs major stadiums, arenas to reopen at 10% capacity

Rose Weldon
Stadiums and arenas that can hold over 10,000 people like the Nassau Coliseum are eligible to reopen at a reduced capacity beginning Feb. 23. (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)

Sports and entertainment events in major stadiums and arenas can reopen with as few as 1,000 spectators in attendance in mid-February, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, but little has been said about the opening of the Nassau Coliseum.

Cuomo announced on Feb. 10 that stadiums and arenas with a capacity of 10,000 or more people could re-open, with allowed spectators capped at 10 percent of the structure’s capacity, beginning Feb. 23.

Following the model established as part of the successful Buffalo Bills pilot program, venues and events must follow similar guidelines, including Department of Health approval for venues and events, capacity limitations, testing requirements, mandatory face coverings, temperature checks, and assigned, socially distanced seating.

The Department of Health’s work to inspect eligible venues statewide is already underway, with the state saying that the Barclays Center in Brooklyn has been approved to re-open on Feb. 23. The office predicts that should this be met with success, similar events in approved venues over the coming weeks will help inform the re-opening process for smaller venues in the future.

“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. Thankfully, our pilot program to reopen Buffalo Bills games to fans was an unparalleled success and now we are taking that model and expanding it to other large venues across the state to not only reinvigorate local economies, but also help bring some fun and joy back into people’s lives as safely as possible.”

In order to re-open, venues to professional sports, eligible sites must obtain approval from the Department of Health 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; and ensure that retail, food services and athletic activities abide by all state-issued guidance.

Such requirements await eligible Long Island venues like Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, Belmont Park in Elmont, and most notably the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale.

The Coliseum is currently hosting home games for the New York Islanders, albeit unattended by spectators. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran hinted at the stadium’s reopening in a statement issued the same day as Cuomo’s announcement.

“I’m thrilled that Islanders fans will be able to safely rock the Barn again,” Curran said in a statement. “Governor Cuomo reopening arenas is a big step towards New York’s safe return to normal, and the reopening of the Coliseum means so much for Nassau. We know virus risk is dramatically reduced with precautions in place and rules being followed. I’m confident that we’re ready to do this safely and smoothly.”

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