State: Plan “under development” for 6,700 fans to attend Bills’ playoff game; Erie County concerned

The Buffalo Bills and New York State are developing the proposal “cooperatively,” per Cuomo’s office.

“New Yorkers are incredibly proud of the Buffalo Bills and with their first home playoff game in more than 20 years coming up in just a few weeks, we are working closely with the team to develop a plan to allow a limited number of fans to attend the game,” Cuomo said. “Not only would strict mask and social distancing guidelines be in effect, but under the current proposal, this would be the first stadium in the nation to require that all fans obtain a negative COVID-19 test before entering. If a final agreement can be reached and the plan works, this could also serve as a model for reopening other entertainment venues across the state. Bills fans have been waiting decades for another home playoff game and after such a tumultuous year, they deserve the opportunity to be able to root for their team in person, as long as it can be done safely. Go Bills!”

Under the plan submitted by the Bills, team staff will control all exit and entry points to the stadium and only fans with a documented negative COVID-19 test would be allowed inside. To facilitate testing prior to the game, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) would facilitate the deployment of rapid-testing resources. If implemented, this would be the first stadium reopening plan in the nation to require testing and contact tracing, Cuomo’s office said.

Once inside the stadium, fans would be required to wear a mask at all times and adhere to “strict” social distancing protocols. Bills’ security personnel would remove fans from the stadium if they refuse to comply with the protocols.

Ushers will also be present in throughout the stadium to ensure all fans are in compliance. As part of the state’s review, NYSDOH personnel have traveled to other stadiums outside of New York where similar protocols are in place to confirm their effectiveness.

Tailgating would remain banned under this plan and New Yorkers are being reminded to avoid gatherings and parties before, during and after the game “as these events are prime for viral spread,” Cuomo’s office said.

Erie County reaction

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz released the following statement Wednesday afternoon, per the website of WGRZ-TV Buffalo:

“My administration and the Erie County Health Department have not been a part of any discussions regarding the ‘demonstration project’ announced by Governor Cuomo to allow 6,700 fans into Bills Stadium to see a football game and we have no information to add on the proposal. Despite being on several calls with NYS officials for a variety of matters related to the COVID-19 Pandemic over the past few days, no such proposal was brought up and additionally, my recent conversations with staff from the Buffalo Bills indicated to me that while the Bills submitted numerous plans to return fans to the stadium in past months they were unsure whether any of the plans were being actively considered by the state.

“Furthermore, a decision to allow fans into the stadium must be made no later than the middle of next week in order to properly prepare for a game in two weeks, including the sale and distribution of tickets to fans and the activation of appropriate support staff for such an event. Therefore, a decision must be made by the middle of next week to properly prepare for such a game.

“Finally, it must be noted Erie County does not have the capacity to do rapid testing on 6,700 individuals in either a pre-game or prior day setting – the county performs on average 1,450 COVID-19 tests per week for all tests (Abbot ID Now Rapid Tests, Abbot Binax Now Rapid Tests, and traditional PCR Tests) – and that NYS or the Buffalo Bills organization would have to conduct both these tests and the related contact tracing. While we will work with NYS if needed on this proposal, Erie County has not been a part of its formulation and we have no details on how or if it will occur.”