New York may allow fans at Buffalo Bills games -- if they take rapid COVID-19 tests

Up to 6,700 fans could be allowed into Bills Stadium for upcoming games under a plan that would require COVID-19 tests and contact tracing to limit the spread of coronavirus, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday.

The announcement came after the Bills clinched the franchise's first AFC East Division title since 1995 on Saturday, ensuring a home playoff game.

The plan, which has yet to receive final approval, would involve using rapid COVID-19 tests for every fan entering the stadium. Those tests can return results within 15 minutes. Fans who test negative would be allowed to enter and required to wear face coverings and practice social distancing, including with specialized seating sections, Cuomo said.

Some of the concerns that could derail the plan, however, include fears that Bills fans could gather for parties near the stadium and spread the virus in uncontrolled settings.

"Could you create situations that you have not contemplated that are problematic?" Cuomo said, citing a rally at a Buffalo area airport to welcome the Bills home after clinching the division. "The spontaneous rally at the airport, which God bless the fans; they were excited, I was excited. But those large gatherings without masks are problematic."

Some other NFL teams have allowed limited numbers of fans into stadiums with various restrictions, including mask-wearing and social-distancing rules.

But New York would be the first to require the COVID-19 test to enter, and state officials said it could be used as a model for allowing future events in 2021 amid the vaccine rollout.

"It’s a public health model, and it hasn’t been done anywhere before," said health commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker during a news conference on Wednesday. "My concern here is we can control how fans come into the stadium but not the ancillary events; the parties are where this virus can spread."

Cuomo said Zucker and other state officials are still consulting with the Bills to determine whether the plan could be approved in coming days.

The Bills' next scheduled home game is Jan. 3 against the Miami Dolphins. 

At least one state lawmaker knocked the plan, saying testing should be focused on people in need.

"Truly speechless," Sen. Sue Serino, R-Poughkeepsie, wrote on Twitter.

"I’ve received countless calls from family members desperate to see their loved ones in nursing homes who couldn’t find timely access to rapid tests & NHs who haven’t been able to get timely results back for employees. Once again, NY has its priorities backwards."