Large gatherings must follow state's strict capacity rules

Yes. Outdoor stadiums and performing arts venues that accommodate at least 2,500 people will be allowed to open April 1 at 20% capacity. For Yankee Stadium that means 10,850 fans in the stands on Opening Day on April 1 while Citi Field will be allowed to host 8,492 fans for its first game on April 8. Indoor facilities that hold at least 1,500 people, including local basketball and hockey arenas, will be initially capped at 10% capacity, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Thursday.

Fans will be required to provide either a negative COVID-19 test or proof that they have completed a vaccination series at least 14 days before, in order to enter the building. Fans must continue to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines inside the facility.

The State Department of Health will reevaluate the testing and vaccination entry requirements in May, and they could potentially be discontinued later that month if coronavirus rates continue to decline.

State officials say the operator of the stadium or arena will be provided the flexibility for determining its testing protocols, although all plans must be approved by the state Health Department. Some facilities that have recently reopened their doors, including the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, have built the cost of the test into the ticket price.

But Cuomo spokesman Jack Sterne said facility operators could choose to allow guests to provide proof of a negative test that they obtained on their own.

While the Health Department plans to issue guidance on the matter in the coming days, it is likely that operators will accept either a rapid antigen test or a PCR test — considered more trustworthy — before entering the stadium or arena, Sterne said.

Beginning March 15, weddings and parties of up to 150 people were allowed, exclusive of employees and event staff, or at 50% building capacity, whichever is less, according to a new state guidance.

Social distancing and mask wearing is required except with "members of the same immediate party, household or family," the guidance states. Everyone in attendance is required to provide personal information for potential contact-tracing efforts.

Guests and venue staff are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test — either a PCR test taken within 72 hours of the party or a rapid test taken within 6 hours of the start time — to event staff upon arrival. Those individuals who are fully vaccinated can provide proof at the event. Similar to arenas and stadiums, catering venues can decide to coordinate the testing or to allow the party's host to arrange the process.

"Any attendee who fails to present a negative diagnostic test result or proof of immunization … must be denied entry to the event," the guidance said.