The San Antonio Spurs have announced plans to allow fans back in the AT&T Center for games starting Friday, March 12.

It will be the first time for fans to be in attendance at the AT&T Center since March 10, 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning.

“We are thrilled to welcome our fans back to the AT&T Center,” said RC Buford, Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO. “We’ve always said we have the best fans in the NBA and playing in an empty arena has reminded us all of how fortunate we are to enjoy the amazing support we receive from our fans. We can’t wait to see, hear and engage with our fans again starting March 12.”

Fans will be invited back at a reduced capacity of approximately 3,200 to help maintain physical distancing. The March 12 game will be the first of 17 home games for the Spurs in the Second Half of the 2020-21 season.

“For the last 10 months our team has been laser focused on implementing heightened health and safety measures, concentrating on three key areas, people, surfaces and air,” said AT&T Center General Manager Casey Heverling. “The entire organization has gone above and beyond to make sure that the AT&T Center is a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone in attendance.”

The following is a release from the Spurs on safety steps taken:

Since April 2020, SS&E has made numerous changes to policies, procedures and operations within the AT&T Center. For a full list of enhanced health and safety updates and protocols, visit Our Commitment to you. Highlights of the arena’s new safety enhancements include:

People:

Our fans come first and we are also counting on them to help keep everyone in the arena safe:

Wear face masks from the moment you enter the AT&T Center. Masks may be removed when eating or drinking

Complete the mobile health screening before you arrive. The health pass is required for entry. It takes a few minutes to complete so be sure to download the CLEAR app before you go

Temperatures will be checked at the door. Remember to stay home if you’re not feeling well

Bags up to 6” x 8” with a maximum of one compartment are allowed. If your bag is too large, we now have Binbox as an option for you to store your bag onsite for a small fee

Maintain physical distancing while navigating the venue, including elevators. We’ve added signage and directions throughout to help with this

Fans will have a cashless and touchless experience at the arena, from paying for parking, to scanning your ticket at touchless ticket-scanning pedestals, to ordering food and beverages, paying for it with Spurs Pay and picking up your order at one of our 22 express lines throughout the arena. It’s all a tap away in the Spurs app. Be sure to download the app and your mobile tickets prior to arrival

To help make the digital experience as seamless as possible, we’ve upgraded the arena with AT&T’s latest 5G and Wi-Fi 6 technology. The AT&T Center is the first arena in the U.S. to have AT&T Wi-Fi 6 and 5G services.

We will continue to regularly seek input from local, state and national public health experts and the NBA for guidance on keeping our fans and staff safe

Surfaces:

We are putting meticulous cleaning measures in place to deliver enhanced surface cleaning for each game:

Electrostatic sprayers will sanitize the arena from floor to ceiling with a hospital-grade disinfectant

Thanks to a partnership with Xenex, UV robots will be used for surface cleaning

Designated crews will clean all surfaces including seats, cupholders, handrails, elevators, concession stands, restrooms and other high-touch areas before each game

A dedicated “Clean Team” at each game will focus solely on disinfecting high-touch points, with every restroom featuring a “Clean Team” attendant

Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available throughout the arena

Air:https://www.clearme.com/healthpass

Thanks to a new innovative partnership, the air inside the arena now has increased purification and filtration:

We are using the highest rated filtration systems possible and increasing the fresh air circulation throughout the arena

Through GermLogic, new units provide advanced and comprehensive disinfection services and products to help prevent the spread of numerous types of viruses, bacteria, mold and fungi that can develop in the air. Air purification units have been installed in offices, locker rooms, VIP areas and meeting rooms

Season Ticket Members and partners will have priority access to available ticket packages for the second half of the season beginning March 2. Fans can receive exclusive presale access beginning March 5 at 12 p.m. CST by joining the Official Spurs Fan Club. Single-game tickets and suites go on sale to the general public March 5 at 2 p.m. CST. Seating pods of two or four seats will be available throughout the arena to maintain six feet of physical distancing between each group of fans.

Photo: Getty Images

Sports Desk