NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday once again floated the idea of allowing fans to attend a playoff game at Bills Stadium next month.
The Bills will host the playoff game at their Orchard Park stadium in January after clinching the AFC East division title on Saturday. However, it remains unknown if fans will be allowed in because of the pandemic.
Since the start of the season, fans of the Giants, Jets and Bills have been unable to attend live games. Though, some teams – such as the Cowboys and the Browns – have been allowed to host a limited number of people.
Cuomo on Sunday said he would like to be there when the Bills play, but said he was unsure about reopening the stadium.
“I would like to be at that game – a playoff game – as much as anyone,” Cuomo said during a conference call. “This has been a long time coming for Buffalo, and there are no fans like Buffalo Bills fans.”
On Tuesday, he told reporters that the state and the Bills are still hammering away at plans to possibly reopen the stadium for the game.
“Just to clarify with the Buffalo Bills: We are talking to the Bills we are researching teams and protocols across the nation,” the governor said. “The Department of Health is looking at an experimental model of working with data and testing to see if there’s any way we could safely allow some fans into the game. We’re working with the Bills, it’s all a work in progress.”
On Sunday, Cuomo said the infection rate and hospitalization rate in Western New York will determine whether the Bills can host fans.
The Department of Health is currently reviewing the Bills’ stadium reopening plan, the governor added.
However, there are concerns about what could happen before the game.
“The big issue here is tailgate parties,” New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said.
Cuomo agreed saying, “Large gatherings should concern everyone.”
The governor on Sunday speculated that they could have a decision on the reopening during the first week of January, when they will evaluate the circumstances in Western New York.
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