Gov. Cuomo announces new guidance on sports travel, venue capacity

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo held a COVID briefing on Thursday to announce new guidelines for indoor and outdoor sports and performing arts venues. He was joined by several representatives from the New York Mets.

Cuomo gave the following stats on COVID response:

Cuomo said positivity rates and hospitalizations are continuing to drop. Meanwhile, vaccinations are going up. “The numbers are dramatically on the decline,” he said. “All good news on COVID.”

Cuomo said the state will launch “a logistical operation like you’ve never seen” in order to distribute vaccines this spring. He said that he was not experiencing side effects after his vaccination on Wednesday.

In good spirits throughout the briefing, Cuomo urged New Yorkers to look ahead to spring following the dark winter behind us.”Let’s get back to life and living and get that economy running,” he said. To that end, he made announced new guidelines for performance and sports venues.

On sports travel, the governor announced that, starting Monday, March 29, restrictions will be lifted. Statewide travel for sports and recreational activities will be allowed.

INCREASED CAPACITY FOR OUTDOOR PERFORMING ARTS VENUES

Large outdoor performing arts venues, including stadiums, that hold more than 2,500 people can reopen at 20 percent capacity, beginning April 1. Venue capacity will continue to increase as the public health situation improves with more New Yorkers receiving vaccinations and fewer COVID-19 cases in the community. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing, and health screening.

INCREASING CAPACITY AT SPORTS VENUES

Professional sports in large outdoor stadiums that hold 10,000 people or more will be allowed to reopen at 20% capacity. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing, and health screening. The New York State Department of Health will re-evaluate the testing and vaccination entry requirements in May, and if the public health situation continues to improve, they may be discontinued in mid-May.

Smaller, regional sports venues that hold 1,500 people indoors or 2,500 people outdoors can also reopen, beginning April 1. Initial capacity will be limited to 10 percent indoors and 20 percent outdoors. Attendees must show proof of a recent negative test or completed vaccination series prior to entry and are subject to strict state guidance on face coverings, social distancing, and health screening.

NY METS & YANKEES GAMES WILL OPEN TO FANS

“It has been hellacious,” Cuomo, an avowed New York baseball fan, said. But, he went on, “We’re gonna play ball and we’re gonna play ball with a crowd. Which, I gotta tell you, is so good for the psyche,” Cuomo said.

New York’s Major League Baseball teams, the New York Mets and New York Yankees, can resume play with spectators in the stadiums, beginning April 1, announced the governor.

Vaccinations will continue to be administered at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field during the MLB season.