(Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)
The Steelers released a statement today that only friends and family of players and the organization are permitted at Heinz Field for their first-round playoff game that will take place on either Jan. 9 or 10 at Heinz Field.
Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said in the statement today that they will continue to have dialogue with public health officials next week with the goal of possibly having increased capacity for their playoff game next weekend.
Yesterday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that the three-week restriction to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania that includes a ban on indoor and outdoor gatherings will expire as planned on Jan. 4.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed yesterday that the Bills will be allowed 6,700 fans in attendance when they host a first-round playoff game next weekend. It will be the first Bills' first home playoff game since 1996.
Fans will have to wear masks and test negative before the game. Cuomo also said there will be contact tracing after the game, and that the game will serve as a pilot program for how the state can smartly and safely reopen large events and other businesses.
“A football playoff game is outdoors, which is a much better situation from COVID spread,” Cuomo said via Pro Football Talk. “We believe we are the first state in the nation to run this kind of pilot. We think it can be very instructive to us going forward.”
It should be interesting to see what the ruling will be by Pennsylvania public health officials on whether fans outside of friends and family of the players and organization are allowed to attend the Steelers' first-round playoff game at Heinz Field.