State requires arenagoers to have negative COVID-19 test within 3 days. Barclays Center now sets 2 days. But not rapid testing, despite apparent pilot program for smaller crowds.

Well, arenas are reopening in New York State, with a state requirement for proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours, as announced 2/10/21.

That allows for a resumption of sporting events, which have a huge television audience, but not necessarily for concerts--which make more money from ticket sales. 

(Note that the separately announced opening, beginning April 2, of event, arts and entertainment venues at 33 percent capacity, up to 100 people indoors, does not really help arenas.)

Barclays Center: two-day requirement

The Barclays Center is doing better than the state requirement (and its rival Madison Square Garden): requiring a test within 48 hours, not 72 hours.

But Barclays is not continuing--perhaps because of the difficulty doing it at scale--with what seemed a pilot: rapid testing on-site (as reported by the New York Post and New York Daily News), which would do more to establish that a person has not been infected in the intervening two days, and which some experts favor.

Note that the on-site rapid test for each attendee was announced in the press for apparently some (all?) initial games, with just 300 ticketed fans, not 10% of capacity, which exceeds 1,770. But it wasn't on the  web site. 

Arena spokeswoman Mandy Gutmann responded to my query:

Testing requirements--both New York State's and ours--are determined based on current infection rates and the prevailing science. Currently, NYS requires a PCR test within 72 hours of the event. Barclays Center continues to provide PCR tests to fans at no additional charge, and operationally we now are able to do so within two days of game day for virtually all fans. We will continue to strive to exceed the testing requirements of NYS, which themselves are the strictest in the nation.

She didn't answer my question about how much rapid testing they had done and whether it would continue.

Barclays procedures

Here's the at-home test link for Barclays Center ticketholders. "On game day, complete a Health Survey on the CLEAR app," the arena instructs, and "Upon arrival at Barclays Center on game day, have your temperature checked." So that adds another partial layer of precaution.

The Nets also offer tests at the arena no more than two days before game day, though it doesn't seem to be a rapid-testing option. 

From the Governor's Office

This policy is a step up from the Barclays Center's 2/10/21 press release, which required a negative PCR test within 72 hours in advance of the game.

A new state Excelsior Pass

A 3/2/21 press release, Governor Cuomo Announces Pilot Program Testing the Excelsior Pass at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a pilot program to test the Excelsior Pass during events at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center. First announced in the Governor's 2021 State of the State address and developed in partnership with IBM, the Excelsior Pass will use proven, secure technology to confirm an individual's vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test through a confidential data transfer to help fast-track the reopening of theaters, stadiums and other businesses in accordance with New York State guidelines. This new technology was successfully tested during the initial phase of the pilot during the Brooklyn Nets game at Barclays Center on February 27. It will now be tested for a second time during the New York Rangers game on March 2 at Madison Square Garden.

Similar to a mobile airline boarding pass, individuals will be able to either print out their pass or store it on their smartphones using the Excelsior Pass's "Wallet App." Each pass will have a secure QR code, which venues will scan using a companion app to confirm someone's COVID health status. The results of the pilot program will be used to enhance the quality of the application, maximizing return on investment and saving development time, prior to submission to Apple and Google for approval to go into their app stores.

Timing issues & various apps

From the state press release:

As part of major stadium and arena reopening guidelines announced by the Governor on February 10, venues must ensure that all staff and spectators receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of the event. During this pilot program, a subset of predetermined participants will be able to use the pass to confirm their recent negative COVID-19 test and gain entry to these events at Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden.

Beyond the Excelsior Pass, Barclays has its own app:

Barclays Center has partnered with Health Pass by CLEAR, a free mobile solution that allows you to complete COVID-19 screening requirements before arriving at the game. Upon purchasing your ticket, download the CLEAR app before game day and enroll for free by clicking here. Please be sure to download the app called “CLEAR - Fast, Touchless Access”.