Governor Andrew Cuomo says agreement has been reached on a plan to let 6,700 COVID-tested fans into the first Buffalo Bills playoff game next month...and the governor says the state is hoping it will be the model the state can use to reopen business statewide. He says we can't take another six-to-nine of business lockdowns while waiting for the vaccine to become widespread.
The Governor says 6,772 Bills fans will be allowed into the stadium...first testing negative for COVID-19. They'll have to wear masks in the stadium and sit in family groups that are socially distanced from each other. They'll follow up with contact tracers after the game. But the governor says if this works...they hope to use it as the model for businesses to reopen. Cuomo says the rapid testing model with results in 20 minutes being used for this game might be the key to letting people into restaurants and other businesses again.
Cuomo was virtually joined by both Terry and Kim Pegula, who said they want the Bills fans who make it into the stadium to be safe, be smart and be loud. And there was also a message from Quarteback Josh Allan, who urged people to follow the masking rules so they can stay inside the stadium for the rest of the season.
Tailgating remains banned under the plan...and state health officials are urging people not to gather in large groups before and after the game, which presents a risk of spreading the virus.