BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Is it time for Governor Andrew Cuomo to open up Bills Stadium to some fans?
Governor Cuomo said a month ago that he is "100 percent eager" to have fans back at the stadium to enjoy the games and that he planned to visit the stadium. However, the governor has not made a trip to Orchard Park to tour the stadium. His concerns about the stadium were fans congregating at the entrance and exits at the stadium.
State lawmakers don't have the power to decide on whether or not fans are allowed back.
"I don't know what the governor is waiting on," State Senator Minority Leader Rob Ortt said. "If you're going to come in and do a tour of the stadium and look at the blueprints, which I think is unnecessary (because) he can look at the blueprints from Albany,...if he wants to come in then come in. If you're not going to do it, then just say it's not going to happen. Own the decision."
[shortcode-inline-related expand="1" link="/wben/news/local/cuomo-i-am-100-percent-eager-to-get-fans-back-at-stadium" headline="Cuomo: I am "100 percent eager" to get fans back at Bills Stadium" image="/media-library/image.jpg?id=63626968"]Ortt said, though, that there are many fans who have purchased season tickets who want to go to the games and said there's been several other teams who have allowed fans.
State Senator Tim Kennedy said we have to keep our guard up regarding coronavirus, but did not say whether or not lawmakers should press the governor to open up the stadium.
"Hopefully we'll get to that point and hopefully it would be sooner or later," Kennedy said.
The Bills is among the six home teams that will not be having an fans in the stands this weekend. The other home teams that will have no fans this weekend are the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers. Teams that are allowing fans into the stadium this weekend include the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, and Philadelphia Eagles. The Carolina Panthers had 5,240 fans at their stadium on Thursday night.
Dr. Thomas Russo, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Jacobs School of Medicine in Buffalo, told WBEN earlier this month that he believes fans can be in the stadium because of the ability to social distance. However, he is concerned about the possible spread of the virus via concession stands.
The Buffalo Bills said earlier this month there will be no fans for the foreseeable future.



