New York to allow 'safe reopening' of large venues from February 23

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  • Attendees will need to have a negative PCR test within 72 hours of the event.
  • New York to allow 'safe reopening' of large venues from February 23 image
  • As NBC reports, NY governor Andrew Cuomo will allow the reopening of large venues which have certain Covid-secure measures in place. "The truth is, we cannot stay closed until everyone is vaccinated" the governor said yesterday, "the economic, psychological, emotional cost would be incredible." The statement comes after a pilot scheme for the Buffalo Bills, an American football team, allowed fans into the stadium in January. Cuomo said the decision to allow 6,700 people to attend the game worked with "unparalleled success." The plan is to extend this possible reopening to venues statewide from February 23rd. The state Department of Health will approve venue's plans to reopen, there will be a ten percent capacity limit for venues with over 10,000 capacity and seating will be socially distanced. Attendees will have to provide a negative PCR test from within 72 hours of the event, will have to wear masks during the event and have a temperature check on arrival. "The success of this, and similar events in approved venues over the coming weeks will help inform the re-opening process for smaller venues in the future," Cuomo said. "Cities have taken a real blow during COVID, and the economy will not come back fast enough on its own—we must bring it back." Cuomo's attention has been on the arts as well as sports. New York launched an arts festival, called NYPops Up, for free pop-up performances around the state. "Creative synergies are vital for cities to survive, and our arts and cultural industries have been shut down all across the country, taking a terrible toll on workers and the economy." Photo credit: Eric Cunningham
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