Bills fans wouldn't be allowed at games under current state rules

If the 2020 season were to start today, the Buffalo Bills would be playing in an empty New Era Field.

The State of New York released guidelines for professional sports events Thursday that included banning fans at games and outside the venue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques.

However, with those guidelines set to be updated based on new information, it's still possible fans will be able to attend games in Buffalo when the shortened preseason kicks off in August. The regular season remains scheduled to begin in September as usual.

"Guidelines are developed based on the latest guidance from public health officials and data, and will be updated over time based on emerging science and information," said Jason Conwall, spokesman for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The NFL is planning to play a full season in front of fans amid the coronavirus crisis, which has worsened recently in the United States.

Cuomo announced 875 new cases on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 394,954 confirmed cases, by far the most in the U.S.