NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced a major step forward in the reopening of Broadway and New York City baseball stadiums.
Tickets will begin going on sale Thursday for Broadway shows that open Sept. 14.
The tickets will be made available for theaters at 100% capacity, Cuomo said.
"The state will continue to work closely with Broadway industry partners to plan for the safe, successful return of this world-class cultural experience," Cuomo said in a statement. "As public health conditions and the state's guidance for performing arts and live entertainment changes, Broadway stakeholders will remain flexible and adapt to applicable health protocols, such as face coverings, health screening, enhanced air filtration and ventilation, and rigorous cleaning and disinfection."
Joined by Yankees president Randy Levine and Mets president Sandy Alderson at a COVID-19 briefing, Cuomo also announced that there will be separate sections for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field starting on May 19.
Sections for vaccinated people will be at 100% capacity, while sections for unvaccinated people will be limited to 33% capacity because of six-foot social distancing requirements, Cuomo said.
"You're vaccinated, that's one category. You're unvaccinated, that's another category," Cuomo said.
Masks will be required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated fans. Proof of vaccination will determine where fans sit.
Vaccinated families who have a child under 16 years old who is ineligible for a vaccine can bring that child with them to the vaccinated section, Cuomo said.
"We will have separate sections and accommodate all of our season ticket holders," Levine said. "We just received this good news yesterday, and we've been actively working on it to make sure the stadium is ready by May 19."
The current requirement for fans to show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test will be dropped because it is burdensome, Cuomo said.
Vaccinations will also be offered at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field during games, the governor said. If someone gets vaccinated at the stadium, they'll get a free ticket. The vaccine being offered at the stadiums will be the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to Cuomo.
The announcement comes two days after Cuomo announced that capacity restrictions on businesses — including restaurants, offices, beauty salons and gyms — will be lifted in New York and its neighboring states of New Jersey and Connecticut on May 19.
Cuomo also announced Monday that subway service will return to 24-hour operation on May 17.
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