The time has come! New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that concert venues and sports arenas around the state can reopen for events starting February 23! WooHoo!!!

But first, all safety plans need to be approved by the State Department of Health. These guidelines are essential for everyone to follow so that other states will open up too! Also, some places have already been approved, like the Brooklyn Barclays Center will have fans attend the Brooklyn Nets game against Sacramento Kings on February 23, according to Times Out. Exciting, right!

There will be a 10% capacity limit in the arenas and stadiums. With this, there will be assigned seating that follows the social distance rule, temperature checks, and face masks will be required. In addition, everyone will have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of attending any event.

Some of these arenas have been made into vaccination sites but now will double as an event center again! Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he hopes to turn Barclays Center into another vaccination destination just like Yankee Stadium.

This reopening news comes after the Buffalo Bills had 6,700 fans in their arena that everyone entering followed the rules, in January. After the game, contact tracing proved to be effective.

More news is coming to New York with NYPopsUP announcing hundreds of pop-up performances that will help bring back New York citizens’ spirit and emotional well-being. There will be live performances from Sarah Jessica Parker, Patti Smith, Kenan Thompson, and many more.

We are all very hopeful that soon more states will open up so that we can all go to concerts and events!