Fans Return For Yankees, Mets Opening Days As NYC Starts Comeback

New York City NY

18 March, 2021

12:31 PM

Description

NEW YORK, NY —Gov. Andrew Cuomo seemed in good spirits on Thursday as he announced new reopening guidelines for sports and arts venues across New York. Cuomo focused on new opening announcements and falling COVID-19 rates, while making no mention of the ongoing allegations of sexual harassment against him and not taking a single question from the press. Beginning on April 1, sports venues with a 1,500-plus indoor capacity or 2,500-plus outdoor capacity can increase attendance to 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively. However, proof of a negative test or vaccination will be required for attendance, a requirement that will be re-evaluated in mid-May. Cuomo was joined Thursday by a slate of big hitters in Major League Baseball, including legendary New York pitchers Al Leiter and C.C. Sabathia, along with New York Yankees president Randy Levine and New York Mets Vice Chairman Andy Cohen. Under the new rules, both of the team's stadiums will go from 10 percent capacity to 20 percent capacity — meaning that the Yankees will be able to welcome roughly 11,000 fans on Opening Day, and 9,000 fans for the Mets. Cuomo started off the press conference by removing a reversible New York Yankees and New York Mets mask. Proceeding to emphasize multiple times how he and his family are fans of "New York sports" — a possible reference to Mayor Bill de Blasio's well-documented love of the Boston Red Sox. "I'm very excited about the news today," Cuomo said. "It has been a long dark winter. It's been a long dark year, it's been the darkest experience we've gone through in generations." Cuomo also announced that starting on April 1, outdoor performing arts centers with a 2,500-plus capacity can reopen at 20 percent. Additionally, travel for sports has been limited to nearby counties and regions for non-professional players, starting on March 29, statewide travel for sports and recreational activities will be permitted again.