New York allows large venues to host fans at 10% capacity
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that all venues in the state that can host a minimum of 10,000 people are now permitted to host fans at 10% capacity beginning Feb. 23, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews.
Spectators will have to provide a negative COVID-19 test up to 72 hours before the event in question. Fans will also be assigned socially distanced seating and be required to undergo temperature checks and wear face coverings while attending.
Cuomo cited the Buffalo Bills hosting 7,000 fans during the recent NFL playoffs as an "unparalleled success," opening up a similar opportunity for the state's other major sports franchises.
The Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks are on track to be the first New York teams to welcome fans back under the new arrangement. The Nets will host the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 23 at the Barclays Center, while the Knicks will welcome the Golden State Warriors on the same day to Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks announced they intend to host "roughly 2,000 fans at every game." Madison Square Garden normally has a maximum capacity of 19,500 people.
Brooklyn is still awaiting approval by the NBA, according to Andrews.