ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Governor Andrew Cuomo says he "would be all in favor" of allowing Bills fans into Bills Stadium for a home playoff game this season if COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization rates for the region are low enough.
"We are still looking at it," Cuomo said in his daily update on the state's response to the pandemic Friday morning.
The governor said he wants to see where Western New York's numbers are around January 9, which is also NFL Wild Card Weekend.
The region's positivity rate Wednesday was 6.6 percent, down slightly from the two previous days. The number of available hospital beds in Western New York continues to hold steady at 25 percent.
The Bills are on track to host their first home playoff game since a 30-27 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in December 1996.
Buffalo will clinch the AFC East this weekend with a win Saturday against the Denver Broncos or a Miami Dolphins loss. A division title guarantees the return of playoff football to Buffalo. The possibility also exists, albeit a longer shot, that the 10-3 Bills will secure a first-round bye.
"I would love nothing more, on a personal level, than to see Buffalonians enjoy this moment," Cuomo said. "Buffalo deserves it."
Cuomo said he will follow the guidance of New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker.
"If there is any way we can figure it out, we should try to figure it out," Cuomo said.
