Updated 3:20 p.m.

Nebraska State Boys basketball tournament will be played this week but fans will not be allowed to attend in hopes of preventing the spread of coronavirus.

Immediate family members will be allowed to attend the games. Immediate family includes parents, stepparents, guardians, siblings and other members living in the athlete's household, and grandparents.

School administrators must provide a list of those seeking to attend.

The decision was announced during a press conference with Lincoln and Nebraska officials Wednesday.

The games remain on schedule but officials said there is work to be done concerning the logistics. Credentialed members of the media will also be allowed to attend.

Jay Bellar, director of the NSAA, said “We are saddened it can’t go on with all the fans, but do realize this is the best thing to do.”

They wanted to get the message out quickly since they know many people will be traveling to Lincoln today.

When asked about how this will work when it comes to only allowing immediate family, “I don’t have a lot of answers because the curveball was just thrown," Bellar said.

The NSAA is meeting to work through more logistics.

Bellar later added that ‘immediate family’ to him means those living in the same house as the player. And that the state will rely heavily on local school officials who know the team better than they do.

"If they’re in the house, they’re welcome to come. If not, we ask them to stay away," he added.

Matt Blomstedt, Nebraska Education Commissioner said the idea to let the games be played but with limited spectators was to “recognize the fact that students have worked really hard” to get here.

“The reality to limit spectators to immediate family and try to protect public health and the spread of coronavirus across the state," Blomstedt said.

Dr. Michael Rapp with CHI Health St. Elizabeth said the decision was courageous and timely.

"This is, in my opinion, a pan-epidemic and it needs to be treated as such," Rapp said.Nebraska State Boys basketball tournament will be played Saturday but fans will not be allowed to attend, while immediate family members will.