Knicks fans desperate to return to Madison Square Garden are paying $ 250 for COVID tests at the last minute before giving up, to meet the new rules for testing big states.
Under the regulations that went into effect on February 23, venues can work with more than 10,000 people at a capacity of 10 percent – as long as each guest has passed a COVID test within 72 hours of completion.
But not just an old COVID test will do. The state requires fans to perform the more sensitive and accurate PCR, or polymerase chain reaction, tests. Unlike a quick test, which can deliver results within minutes, PCR test results can take hours or days.
“I’ve been trapped in a house for a year and a half, so I’d love to spend it all,” said Anthony Jones, 33, of Queens, after getting the necessary PCR test for the first time before $ 250. the Knicks would take on the Pacers on Saturday night.
Saturday’s game was the third Knicks game with fans attending under the new rules at The Garden.
The test requirements leave few reliable options for fans, as most providers can only guarantee the specialized “PCR” test results within three to five days.
Madison Square Garden, spokeswoman for Madison Square Garden, said New York is the only state that needs these big test sites.
Tap Rapid Test NYC. The company – which has been making headlines throughout the pandemic for its expensive, COVID-related concierge services for wealthy New Yorkers – has set up a temporary clinic in a conference room at Stewart Hotel, across 8th Avenue from MSG, where PCR tests are being applied . with a promised turnaround time of 30 minutes.
“If a fan has not been tested, they will not let them into the game, and that is very difficult,” said Mark Golberg. in Nolita and in East 72nd Street.
He said fans walked into the Stewart Hotel after offering a quick test that was not offered to PCG to MSG ticket participants.
“So they have to come to us,” Goldberg said. ‘Either they actually took a test at City MD or what did you do and the results are not ready in time. We are the last resort. ‘
This is what happened to a father-and-son duo from Scarsdale who said they took a PCR test at another clinic on Thursday but did not get their results in time for Saturday’s game.
‘We’m pretty stuck with this test. I do not know if we have a choice, ”laments the father who did not want to give his name. “We’re going to play two games here – tonight and the hockey game tomorrow – and we haven’t got our Tests yet.”
Rapid Test NYC is one of three test sites where MSG recommends that patrons go testing. Northwell Health’s GoHealth Urgent Care Centers, which are recommended to be tested three days before the game, and Vault Health, which will send fans a quick test package before game day, are also listed as recommended providers.
Ticket holders can choose any healthcare provider to meet the testing requirements of the state of New York. We wanted to help our fans by providing information on test providers that offer different levels of convenience, that have different price points. The three providers offer urgent care, home and day care options, ‘a Madison Square Garden spokesman said in a statement.
A second father-son couple, who identified themselves as the Boothe family from Philadelphia, said they were completely taken aback by the requirements and planned to sell their tickets because they did not have the test price of $ 250 could not afford.
‘It’s $ 500 to go to the game. If you spend $ 500 on top of that, it’s almost $ 1,000 just to go into the building, ” the disappointed father said after dropping by Stewart Hotel. “It’s kind of blackmail. We are upset, but what can we do? I’m not spending $ 500 going to a $ 200 game for two tickets. ‘