Breaking news: Fans to be allowed into the Garden

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that fans will be allowed into sporting events in arenas and stadiums effective February 23.   That means that fans will be able to attend the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on February 26.

The limit on attendance will be 10 percent of capacity and the Garden announced that they will allow 2,000 fans in for Rangers and Knicks games.

There will be COVID-19 protocols.  Fans will have to register a negative rapid PCR test within 72 hours of attending a game.  Everyone will have to wear a mask, maintain social distancing and will have their temperatures checked.

This means that the Rangers along with the Buffalo Sabres and the New York Islanders will join the Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers and the Arizona Coyotes as the only teams that allow fans into arenas.

This won’t be the first time fans will be allowed into an event in New York State as the Buffalo Bills had 7,000 fans for a playoff game in January.  It was due to the success of the Bills pandemic precautions that Cuomo is expanding the rules.

Cuomo said  “We also have to at the same time get this economy open, intelligently and in a balanced way,…We’re now going to extend the Buffalo Bills example. Any large stadium or arena for hockey, basketball, football, soccer, baseball, can open on February 23.”

All teams allowing fans in will have to have their plans approved by the New York State Health Department and obviously, any spike in COVID-19 cases could sideline these plans.  As part of the plan, those arenas can also host concerts and other events.

The decision was made because the pandemic numbers are dropping in New York State. Here are the latest numbers tweeted by Governor Cuomo.

How the Rangers decide who gets those tickets is to be determined, but it’s a sure thing that season ticket holders will get the first opportunities.  It’s a changing situation so stay tuned for updates.

It will be great to see real fans in the seats and the term “home ice advantage” will take on new meaning. Too bad the Blueshirts are playing 11 of their first 19 games at Madison Square Garden,but that still leaves 17 games that fans will be able to attend.