Stanford Athletics provides an update on the coronavirus [UPDATED]

The Stanford University Athletics Department gave an update to the ever-growing and ever-evolving events surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the release, Stanford campus leaders are working on updated event attendance guidelines through April 15 in response to the virus that has seen over 94,000 confirmed cases worldwide.

The full release, from Stanford Athletics:

ajf In response to the rapidly evolving events surrounding COVID-19 (also called novel coronavirus), Stanford has activated an emergency operations organization focused on coordinating the university’s response.
Earlier today, this organization published its first set of information and guidance, which included a recommendation to postpone or adjust large-scale events on campus between March 4 and April 15.
Per this recommendation, Stanford Athletics is currently working with Stanford Environmental Health & Safety to establish attendance guidelines for each competition venue and will limit the number of attendees at our competitions in order to allow for sufficient social distancing. These attendance guidelines will be published here as soon as they are finalized.
At this time, all competitions are scheduled to take place as originally scheduled, albeit with limited public attendance.
Updates regarding Stanford Athletics events will be published here as they become available. Additionally, we encourage you to follow us on Twitter (@gostanford).
General updates will be available for the university community at healthalerts.stanford.edu.

Update: March 5, 7 p.m. PT

Stanford Athletics issued another update with a set of principles to follow when attending games on campus:

Stanford Athletics continues to work closely with Stanford Environmental Health & Safety to monitor and respond to the evolving coronavirus situation. In addition to the attendance limitations that were announced earlier today, please see below for the protective measures Stanford Athletics is taking at its events, as well as actions you can take to help prevent the spread of this virus.

As a standard, any potential guest who is feeling ill, regardless of their symptoms, should refrain from attending public events.

Additionally, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department recommended earlier today that people at higher risk of severe illness, including individuals over the age of 50 and individuals with underlying health conditions, avoid mass gatherings such as parades, sporting events, and concerts where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another.

Beyond the two important principles outlined above, below are some of the additional precautions Stanford Athletics is undertaking to make its events as safe as possible for all attendees, staff, and participants:

Limiting public attendance to approximately 1/3 of each venue’s capacity through April 15 or until further notice
Increasing the frequency of cleaning commonly touched surfaces and enhancing on-site janitorial service during competitions
Providing attendees with COVID-19 prevention supplies, including tissues and sinks with soap and water
Encouraging attendees, staff, and participants who seem ill to go home or seek emergency care

Below are actions we request all Stanford Athletics event attendees take to help combat the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses:

Spread out throughout the venue to create comfortable distance between you and your fellow attendees
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow

Update: March 5, 3:30 p.m. PT

Attendance limits have been set after Stanford Athletics worked closely with the Stanford Environmental Health & Safety:

Stanford Athletics has worked closely with Stanford Environmental Health & Safety to establish attendance guidelines for each competition venue in order to allow fans the opportunity for social distancing. Public attendance will be limited to approximately 1/3 of each venue’s capacity through April 15 or until further notice. The attendance limits for each venue are as follows:

Avery Aquatic Center (Women’s Water Polo): 840
Beach Volleyball Stadium (Beach Volleyball): 333
Burnham Pavilion (Men’s Volleyball): 475
Cagan Stadium (Women’s Lacrosse): 667
Cobb Track and Angell Field (Track & Field): 715
Maples Pavilion (Basketball): 2,345
Maples Pavilion (Wrestling, Men’s Volleyball, Men’s Gymnastics): 2,195
Smith Family Stadium (Softball): 333
Sunken Diamond (Baseball): 1,000
Taube Family Tennis Center (Men’s and Women’s Tennis): 825

Individuals who have already purchased tickets for baseball, softball, and the Pac-12 Wrestling Championships are not impacted by these revised capacities and may attend those events as planned.

Information regarding NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament games will be communicated here, on our women’s basketball social media accounts, and via email when it becomes available.

All other competitions during this time period are not ticketed, and attendance will be first-come, first-served. A limited portion of the reduced capacity will be reserved for student-athlete guests and Stanford students.

We’ll keep you completely up to date on the happenings as they come in and what they mean for you if you’re hoping to attend any Stanford athletic events in the near future.