Root, root, root for the vaccines!
Yankees and Mets fans who are fully inoculated against COVID-19 will soon be able to pack designated sections of the Big Apple stadiums starting May 19, Gov. Cuomo announced Wednesday.
Separate sections of unvaccinated attendees at ballparks and other large outdoor venues across the Empire State will be restricted to 33 percent capacity, with social distancing of 6 feet, the governor explained during a press briefing at his Manhattan office.
All attendees will still be required to wear face masks at stadiums regardless of vaccination status.
If a person is vaccinated, it’s “normal capacity,” Cuomo said. “Sit next to each other in a section, sit next to your friend, sit next to your family. Just normal capacity.”
Children under 16 — who have not yet been approved to receive any of the available COVID-19 vaccines in the US — can accompany vaccinated attendees, according to the governor.
The new rules will do away with the previous state mandate that required attendees to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test ahead of a game.
Yankees and Mets stars cheered the news about allowing more fans back in the stadiums.
“I’m excited,” said Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. “I’m sure there’s a lot of people itching to get back to see the game.”
Mets stud hurler Jacob deGrom added, “It’s awesome taking that mound at Citi Field in front of a full stadium. I’m definitely looking forward to that.”
Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka said he “can’t wait for more fans in the stands.”
“The sooner we can get back to normal, that’s going to be unbelievable for us,” Higashioka said.
Additionally, the two teams have teamed up with the state Department of Health so that attendees can get vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose shot at both Citi Field and Yankee Stadium during games, Cuomo said.
“We will set up at the game, a facility, as you’re going in, come a little bit earlier and get your vaccine at the game. You’re going to the game anyway. It’s on your way, stop and get a vaccine,” said Cuomo.
The new seating rules apply to any “large-scale outdoor event venues” in New York — including sports, performing arts and live entertainment, and horse and auto racing venues.
People seated in the vaccinated sections will have to provide proof of their full immunization status — either with an official paper vaccination record card, digital app or the state’s Excelsior Pass, Cuomo’s office said.
The governor insisted that the state’s new seating plan is “not segregation.”
“We have social distancing rules,” he said. “We have requirements now in restaurants as to capacity and we have rules if you’re vaccinated then X, if you’re not then Y and they are based on public health parameters.”
The Yankees, in a statement Wednesday, thanked Cuomo “for his decision” and said it will “allow more fans into Yankee Stadium and provide us additional opportunities to further encourage people to get vaccinated.”
“If we can encourage more people to get vaccinated by giving away Yankees tickets, we are all in,” the team said.
The Bronx Bombers will offer ticket vouchers to the first 1,000 fans who receive a vaccine on each full day of vaccination operations at the stadium, and to the first 700 fans on each half-day of inoculation operations from May 7 to June 6.
The Mets, meanwhile, will offer ticket vouchers to the first 250 fans who get their shot at Citi Field on the day of each Mets home game from May 24 through June 17.
Additional reporting by Ken Davidoff and Greg Joyce