Only vaccinated Bills, Sabres fans can attend games this fall | Local News

The Bills responded in a statement Tuesday, saying, “As we did last year, we will continue to cooperate and comply with all New York State and local government regulations regarding our sporting events.”

The county has the right to require vaccinations for games at the newly renamed Highmark Stadium and Key Bank Center because the county owns both of those buildings, Poloncarz said. The county doesn’t need state approval to impose the vaccination requirement, he said.

The state Department of Health responded with a statement that didn’t mention the county’s new policy or address the county’s role in setting game attendance standards.

“The New York State Department of Health continues to work closely with the Buffalo Bills on the plan to return fans to the stands this fall, in accordance with the State’s guidance on professional sports competitions with spectators and all applicable laws and regulations,” spokeswoman Erin Silk said. “We encourage all New Yorkers to receive the Covid-19 vaccination … As always, the Department will continue to review the State’s guidance, in consultation with our partners in industry and local government, and make adjustments as necessary.”

Unanswered questions remain regarding the implementation of the vaccine policy, including how this policy would affect fans from out of state or out of country whose vaccination status can’t be verified through a state app, such as Bills and Sabres fans who live in Canada.