New York aims to reopen Broadway, large venues, with extensive Covid testing, Gov. Cuomo says
All theater performances in New York are suspended by the rest of 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Pictured, shuttered Broadway theaters.
Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images
New York plans to use extensive coronavirus testing as a manner to reopen its struggling leisure venues which have remained shuttered for months throughout the pandemic, Gov. Andrew Cuomo mentioned on Monday.
The coronavirus has crippled the dwell theater trade, particularly in its central hub in New York City. Broadway has been closed since March 2020 and certain will not reopen till no less than May 30 of this 12 months, in accordance to the Broadway League, a commerce group representing producers and theater house owners.
However, Cuomo mentioned there’s hope that New York might permit Broadway, alongside different leisure venues, to reopen with some limitations. The state would probably impose a cap on viewers sizes, require each particular person to present a detrimental Covid-19 check earlier than coming into and require correct air ventilations programs in theaters, the governor mentioned.
“Would I go see a play and sit in a playhouse with 150 people? If the 150 people were tested, and they were all negative, yes I would do that,” Cuomo mentioned throughout a press briefing. “I think reopening with testing is going to be the key.”
Cuomo mentioned he wasn’t instantly in a position to give a timeline for reopening bigger venues. Much of the state’s plan hinges on a pilot program it carried out in January, the place practically 7,000 soccer followers had been allowed to attend the Buffalo Bill’s dwelling playoff recreation so long as they offered a detrimental Covid-19 check.
The governor previously announced at the end of January that New York would permit some venues to reopen for marriage ceremony ceremonies with restricted capability starting on March 15. People might be in a position to maintain a marriage if everybody attending is examined earlier than the occasion and the organizers obtain approval from their native well being division beforehand, he mentioned.
“Opening sites with testing is something where New York wants to lead the way,” Cuomo mentioned on Monday.
This is a creating story. Please examine again later for updates.
