Following the issuance of detailed racetrack health and safety protocols by New York State, Belmont Park will re-open to a limited number of spectators Saturday, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday. Spectators must purchase track admission in advance and adhere to strict health and safety protocols designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.
“NYRA has been working collectively toward this goal since the start of the pandemic and we are thrilled to be able to welcome fans back to Belmont Park,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “We thank our fans for their loyalty and support over this challenging year and look forward to the spring and summer ahead.”
In order to enter Belmont Park, in accordance with New York State requirements, all ticketed spectators must submit proof of a completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated by the Centers for Disease Control and New York State 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson). Individuals who are not fully vaccinated must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event start time or a negative antigen test collected within six hours of the event start time.
NYRA will adjust admission protocols accordingly should the CDC/New York State alter COVID-19 vaccination and/or testing requirements. Daily tickets to Belmont Park will be available for $15 and will include track admission, a reserved seat in the Clubhouse, a pocket program and reserved parking. Assigned seating is mandatory and groups will be physically separated within all seating areas to ensure social distancing. There will be no walk-up ticket sales of any kind. In accordance with New York State requirements, daily attendance is limited to 20% of seated capacity for outdoor areas.
Saturday's stakes action at Belmont features a trio of graded events as well as simulcast of the GI Kentucky Derby. First post at Belmont Saturday is 12:20 p.m. Eastern with gates opening to the public at 11 a.m.
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