Yankees, Mets allowed to start seasons with 20% capacity

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees and Mets will be allowed to start the season with a maximum 20% capacity.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced at a news conference Thursday that the Yankees could have up to 10,850 fans for their April 1 opener against Toronto at Yankee Stadium and the Mets could have up to 8,384 for their April 8 home opener against Miami at Citi Field.

Attendees will have to provide proof of immunization against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test. That requirement will be re-evaluated in mid-May.

“The numbers are coming down. We have to start moving forward,” Cuomo said.

Infection rates in New York City started to fall in mid-January but the rate has leveled. The city and its surrounding suburbs have among the highest infection rates in the U.S.

Cuomo began allowing fans back with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, who drew 6,772 each, about 9.4% of capacity at Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, for their 27-24 win over Indianapolis on Jan. 9 and for their 17-3 loss to Baltimore on Jan. 16.

“We did testing. It worked extraordinarily well,” Cuomo said. “It was a great demonstration. We’re now going to move forward.″

He announced in mid-February that indoor sports arenas could allow 10% capacity starting Feb. 23, which impacted NBA and NHL teams.

Performing arts will be allowed outdoors starting April 1 with capacities of 20% at venues of 2,500 or more.

Sports venues with 1,500 or more indoors will be allowed 10% capacity and with 2,500 or more outdoors will be allowed 20% capacity. Proof of a vaccine or a negative COVID-19 test will be required.

Contact tracing will be conducted to determine whether anyone who attended got infected.

“I think you’re going to see the capacity increase and the testing...

source https://www.chron.com/news/article/Yankees-Mets-allowed-to-start-seasons-with-20-16035896.php