Npb To Ease Limit On Spectator Numbers In Stages
The governing body of Japanese professional baseball has decided to lift the upper limit on the number of spectators allowed to attend a game to half of stadium capacity in stages, from 5,000 per game.
At an online meeting of representatives of the 12 teams on Saturday, Nippon Professional Baseball decided that the cap will be gradually eased, depending on the discretion of each team. The easing of the restriction will begin on September 19.
The move follows approval by an expert panel one day earlier of a government plan to relax the limit on the number of spectators allowed to attend large public gatherings of more than 10,000 people. The panel gave the green light to ending the cap of 5,000 people and raising the limit to half of the venue capacity.
NPB Secretary General Ihara Atsushi told a news conference that it's not that stadiums will be filled to half their capacity from next Saturday. He said that all 12 teams share the understanding that each of them will make their own decision on gradual easing while ensuring thorough anti-infection measures are in place at stadiums.
At the NPB meeting, the 12 teams confirmed that they will work in coordination with local authorities and public health centers as they raise the upper limit. They also agreed to revise their guidelines for preventive measures in accordance with the latest situation.
