The Big Ten announced in a statement Wednesday that it will be allowing attendance at sporting events in the spring as long as they “follow local health guidelines and restrictions.”
This decision, which also includes spring football events like the Ohio State spring game according to the statement, comes after the conference’s protocols had previously taken precedence over local health guidelines.
“This decision follows the announcements by the conference on March 4, 2021, to allow a limited number of fans to attend the 2021 Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments, and on March 9, 2021, to follow local health guidelines and restrictions for all remaining 2020-21 Big Ten Conference championships and tournaments,” the statement said. “The goal is to transition from a conference-wide approach to local decision-making in consultation with public health departments and university medical experts.”
Ohio State, which is set to hold its spring football game on April 17, released the following statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“The Ohio State Department of Athletics will work internally and with Columbus Public Health to formalize appropriate attendance figures, mapping and social distancing within our athletics venues and facilities. Once we have determined the attendance in our venues, beyond the current protocols of only family members of student-athletes and coaches, we will share that information. We do not anticipate any changes in our attendance policies before this weekend’s athletic events on campus.”
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