Albany, N.Y. (WBEN) - As COVID-19 infection rates are coming down and hospitalization rates are under control, could there be the possibility of fans allowed to watch playoff games at Bills Stadium?
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Friday if there's a way to do it, it should be done.
"After we had that conversation, the infection rate went wild in Western New York. The infection rate is now coming down," Cuomo said when responding to a question about when he would visit the stadium before deciding to allow fans. "I'm going to be curious to see where we are when the Bills are in the playoffs. If they get a bye, it will be in the middle of January. There are stadiums that have allowed people, but it depends on the situation in Buffalo."
Cuomo said, on a personal level, that he would love nothing more than to allow Bills fans and Buffalonians to enjoy the moment. He added that it's an exciting time for Bills fans, and they deserves this.
"They have hung in there, and it's fun hanging in a bar with you."
Cuomo added that if there's a "smart, science-based way" to open Bills Stadium to fans, he'll do it.
"It's going to be a health decision, so it's [Health Commissioner Howard] Zucker's decision," Cuomo said. "I don't know if he's a football fan in general, but I'm going to communicate that if there's any way to figure it out, we should try to figure it out."
Western New York's COVID-19 infection rate is at 6.57%, as of Thursday.
With a win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday afternoon, the Bills would clinch the AFC East division for the first time in 25 years and guarantee the team a home playoff game in Orchard Park.
The Bills currently sit in third place in the AFC standings with a 10-3 record, but there is still a chance that the Bills can finish the 2020 season as the No. 2, or even No. 1 seed in the AFC. However, chances are more likely that Buffalo earns a second or third seed in the playoffs, which would give Buffalo the chance to possibly host, at least, two home playoff games in the Wild Card Round and the Divisional Round.
Kickoff between the Bills and Broncos on Saturday is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST and can be heard on WGR with John Murphy, Steve Tasker and Sal Capaccio on the call.