Erie County will lobby state to allow up to 7,000 Bills fans into the stadium

He made no predictions Monday regarding the state's decision but said governor's officials are "seriously considering" permitting a return of fans. If fans are allowed to attend the games, then a decision must be made within the next few days in order for the Bills to sell tickets in time for their third home game on Oct. 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bills are prepared to take extra precautions to ensure there aren't large crowds coming into or leaving the stadium, Poloncarz said. That includes timed entry tickets and timed exit tickets. After the game is over, fans would be dismissed by section.

Poloncarz said he and Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein feel comfortable with allowing a little over 7,000 fans to be allowed into the stadium, roughly 10% of the stadium's seats.

The Bills had originally lobbied for 17,000 fans to be allowed in, then dropped the figure to 9,000, Poloncarz said. But county officials said they thought 7,000 was a safer number, based on the size of the concourses, public spaces and restrooms.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul was noncommittal on when Bills fans would be allowed back in for games, saying she understands fans' desire to get back inside, but pointing to ongoing public health concerns.

"It's frustrating, but we're still in a pandemic," she said during a visit to Harvest House in Buffalo.

At the start of the NFL season, it was announced no fans would be allowed inside Bills Stadium for at least the first two home games, in line with state guidelines about mass gatherings amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the higher number of confirmed cases in Western New York.

"It is something I would love to see, but I'm also very cognizant of the fact that we've worked extremely hard to have a 1% infection rate in this area," Hochul said. "It wasn't long ago it was approaching 2%, and we're anxious about that – not just us, but the entire state is. And we don't want to be like the 21 other states that are seeing an increase in infections."

The region's Covid-19 positivity test rate has fallen since then.

Some other NFL stadiums are allowing fans to attend games, but in greatly reduced numbers.

"We have been in regular communication with all of the professional sports teams in New York, but particularly the Bills," Hochul said. "They've been in conversations with our administration to talk about this. But also, some of the organizations just aren't comfortable themselves. They want to make sure they can protect the players as well as the fans. And they have to ensure that there's certain protocols are met, but not every organization is doing that."

Hochul didn't specify when a decision might come regarding attendance at Bills games.

"Talks are going on – we know there's a timetable," she said. "And if there's a decision, I would expect it's going to be soon. But also, we're still monitoring the numbers and listening to the experts."

The Bills have two road games scheduled before their next home game.

A Bills spokesman did not return calls for comment, but Poloncarz said the team has already worked out a protocol for making tickets available if a limited number of fans are allowed to enter the stadium.

"Season ticket holders would have the first shot, based on the oldest season ticket holders, the ones that have been there the longest, would have the first shot to buy a certain number of tickets," he said. "They have a really good plan in place."

Gregg Brandon, general counsel for the Bills, attended the Miami game and said Miami's system worked well, Poloncarz said. He also pointed out that no tailgating was allowed at the Miami game.

Poloncarz said he would be surprised if tailgating is allowed at Bills Stadium even if fans are permitted inside.

"This would not be an all-day affair," he said.

What would it mean to Bills coach Sean McDermott if fans could attend home games?

“That would be awesome," he said. "I miss our fans. Whatever protocols are in place that’s what we go by. Even if the fans are not in our stadium, they’re in our heart. ... We can’t wait to see our fans again because they are a big part of it.”

McDermott noticed a difference between the atmosphere at the two empty home games and the road game in Miami with limited attendance.

“I would never think it would be significant enough to make a difference when you are out there competing like we are," he said. "But because it’s been empty, there’s a marked difference. ... Even though those numbers are smaller than what we are used to, there is a notable difference in the stadium and in the environment.”