NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- New York state will allow colleges to bring some fans back into their sports stands later this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday.
Large-scale indoor college sports venues will be allowed to host spectators at 10% capacity beginning Friday, April 2, Cuomo said in a press release.
Large-scale outdoor sports venues, meanwhile, will be allowed to host spectators at 20% capacity, the governor said.
The state defines venues that can hold more than 1,500 attendees indoors or 2,500 outdoors as “large-scale,” the release noted. Spectators will have to provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or present proof that they have been vaccinated, the release said.
Smaller college sports venues will be allowed to host spectators at “two fans per player,” or 100 attendees indoors and 200 outdoors, according to the release. Small venues that require proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test or a vaccine will be able to up indoor and outdoor capacity to 150 and 500, respectively.
“Maximum occupancy limit of 50 percent remains in effect, pursuant to the state guidance for sports and recreational activities,” the release noted.
In a statement, Cuomo said college athletics “not only provide opportunities for entertainment and community pride, but also plays a critical role in helping drive local economics.”
“COVID has had a devastating effect on many aspects of our lives, and college athletics was not immune,” he said. “While athletes have been able to resume competition in recent months, it hasn’t been the same without fans in the stands cheering them on.”
“Thanks to the hard work of New Yorkers, we are now in a place where we can begin allowing them to return to games as well,” he added.