ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday announced fans will be allowed to attend the Buffalo Bills’ home playoff game next month.
Cuomo says around 6,700 fans will be allowed at the game. Every fan will receive a COVID-19 test before the game and contact tracing will take place after.
The governor said the economy cannot stay closed forever, calling the home playoff game a pilot program. The pilot is a partnership between the Bills, the state, department of health, and Bio-Reference Laboratories, which will handle the testing for the game.
“…This is a pilot to find ways where we can smartly and safely reopen businesses,” he said.
Gov. Cuomo says he will take a COVID-19 test and be at the game.
The Bills say tickets will be available to purchase starting tomorrow for season ticket holders who opted into purchasing tickets earlier this year. They do not expect tickets to be available to all season ticket holders or to the general public.
Ticket prices will range from $65 to $330 each, plus a $63 testing fee and $11 parking fee per ticket.
Concession stands will be open, however, fans must take food and drinks to their seats. Mingling and sitting around concession areas will not be allowed.
Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula joined Cuomo during the news briefing, with Terry Pegula saying the Bills miss the energy of the fans at the stadium.
“We’ll feel and soak in their support at this game,” he said. “…Remember, our objective's here to support our team in as many ways as we can. I ask them to be safe, be smart, and most importantly, be loud.”
Kim Pegula echoed the same sentiment, saying the safety of the fans is important.
A video of Bills quarterback Josh Allen was played during the conference, telling fans to follow guidelines and wear a mask during the game, so fans can enjoy the playoffs with the team. “Go Bills,” Allen said.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said he had multiple conversations with the Bills and the state as the plan was being formalized. Those in attendance will take a traditional PRC test, which is not a rapid test. Testing will occur no earlier than 72 hours before the actual game.
The county executive said he believed testing will take multiple days. The tests will go to a testing site in Orchard Park by Bio-Reference Laboratories.
Poloncarz stressed the county department of health will not be putting any staff and resources into testing, which is strictly at the responsibility of Bio-Reference.
If a fan tests positive, there will be no second-round of testing due to time, and tickets are not transferable, Poloncarz said.
“It is going to be a very complicated process, but one in the end will ensure the safety of everyone at the facility,” he said.
Poloncarz added that no tailgating will be allowed.
As part of the pilot program, job agency Addeco is looking for people interested in helping with testing fans for COVID-19.
The company issued a job posting looking for people to help obtain and process samples from swabs that the fans would do themselves two to three days prior to the game.
The positions would be full-time hours and run January 4-10.
Training and PPE would be provided and it pays $25 an hour.
Anyone is welcome to apply, even without medical backgrounds.