NFL Adds COVID-19 Testing for Playoff Game

The 2020 AFC East Division Champions announced they will host the Indianapolis Colts for the playoff game scheduled at Bills Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on January 9, 2020, and are performing COVID-19 testing.

The Buffalo Bills announced they would allow 6,772 fans into the Bills Stadium for the Wild-Card game, the first playoff contest held in Buffalo since 1996.

The NFL’s Buffalo Bills and BioReference Laboratories, Inc., an OPKO Health company, stated in a press release ‘New York State has granted permission to host fans who have obtained a negative COVID-19 PCR laboratory-based test result within 72 hours of a playoff game.

Football fans that purchase a ticket for the pending game will be given a BioReference URL to select a testing time at Bills Stadium, up to three days before game day.

Kim Pegula, the Buffalo Bills Owner and President, stated, "We have no doubt they will help create a safe environment for our long-awaited home playoff game. We are pleased to expand our partnership to bring fans back into the stadium."

Fans will be required to wear a mask at all times while at Bills Stadium. And, tailgating will not be permitted for this game, added the NFL.

All fans attending the Bills Playoff Game will be required to adhere to all applicable New York State and NFL Guidelines. Also, any fans traveling to New York will need to follow New York State's enhanced Travel Guidelines, including quarantine requirements.

"The Bills, New York State, and BioReference are committed to providing a safe environment so that fans can enjoy the playoff game," said Jon R. Cohen, M.D., Executive Chairman of BioReference Laboratories. "Fan testing is the next natural step in helping Americans attend and enjoy live sporting and entertainment events."

As of January 3, 2021, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 248 million RT-PCR diagnostic tests, excluding antibody and antigen tests, have been performed in the USA to confirm if a person has a SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.

Moreover, the state of New York has reported 23,116,386 test results to the CDC.

BioReference developed and offers test services that yield high quality and accurate results, including a molecular test for helping with COVID-19 diagnosis and a serology test to help indicate possible COVID-19 exposure.

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