The Buffalo Bills will be the first professional sports team in New York state to host fans at a game since the Covid-19 pandemic began, but some people want to ban one person from attending this weekend: Gov Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo is allowing 6,772 fans to attend the Bills’ home playoff game on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts, or about 9% of the stadium’s capacity. Cuomo said last week that he’s planning to join Bills Mafia there, too.
But WIVB reports a change.org petition is calling to “Ban Andrew Cuomo from Buffalo Bills Stadium playoff games.” As of noon Tuesday, the petition has more than 16,000 signatures — more than twice the number of people allowed in the stadium for the Bills’ first home game in the postseason in 25 years.
“So Cuomo is going to attend our playoff game after telling us that we can only attend at less than 10% capacity?” petition creator Jeffrey Dorenzo wrote. “If he thinks he has more right to a seat in that stadium over people who have waited over 20 years for this opportunity, then people better be there to protest his entry. This is OUR team! This is OUR home. We don’t want you here.”
Cuomo said the football game will be a “pilot to find ways we can smartly and safely reopen businesses.” The governor hinted it could be the first step towards reopening Broadway, concert venues and other sports arenas before “herd immunity” is achieved via coronavirus vaccines.
Attendance will be limited to season ticket holders who earlier this year opted in to playoff availability, and ticket holders must test negative for Covid-19 within 72 hours of game time, starting Wednesday. Also, tailgating will not be allowed and fans must socially distance and wear masks the entire game.
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