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Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday, May 10, that the Nassau Coliseum will have a fully vaccinated fan section for the Islanders’ playoff games which are anticipated to start on Wednesday, May 19.
According to Cuomo, to end the team’s last season at the Coliseum, 50 percent of the arena will be used as a fully vaccinated fan section with fans set three feet apart, with an unoccupied seat between each person in assigned sections that will be designated only for those who have taken the COVID-19 vaccine.
UBS Arena at Belmont Park will become the Islanders' new permanent home beginning in the 2021-22 NHL season.
Anyone sitting in the sections designated for vaccinated fans will have to provide proof of full COVID-19 immunization status, which can be provided through paper form, digital application, or the State's Excelsior Pass.
Fans under the age of 16 who are not yet eligible for the vaccine may accompany and be seated with a vaccinated adult in a fully vaccinated section provided they have received a recent negative COVID-19 test result.
Appropriate social distancing, masks, and other statewide health protocols will still apply throughout the arena.
The rest of the arena will include fans set six feet apart.
“As our positivity and hospitalization rates go down and our vaccination numbers go up, we are readjusting our reopening strategy to get our economy back and up and running," Cuomo said. "The arrows are all pointed in the right direction, and we can now take yet another huge step forward and allow fully vaccinated fan sections to end the Islanders' last season at the Coliseum.
“The Islanders have always been Long Island's team, and this new measure to increase capacity will allow more of the team's passionate fan base to enjoy the final games at the Coliseum and help reenergize the team as they head into the playoffs."
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