NASHVILLE — SEC Tournament games Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena will take place as scheduled, the league announced.

But plans for the remainder of the five-day tournament are still being evaluated in the wake of the NCAA's decision Wednesday to limit attendance at NCAA Tournament games to "only essential staff and limited family" due to concerns about the coronavirus.

"The SEC is aware of the statement just released by the NCAA," the SEC announced. "Tonight’s SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament games will continue as regularly scheduled. We are evaluating plans for the remainder of the tournament. More to come."

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Georgia and Ole Miss are scheduled to open the conference tournament at 7 p.m. ET. Vanderbilt and Arkansas are slated to follow at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Tennessee and Alabama open Thursday's four-game schedule at 1 p.m. ET. The tournament runs through Sunday's championship game.

“In situations like this, if we are ever going to make a mistake, I’d rather be safe than sorry," said South Carolina coach Frank Martin, whose Gamecocks play at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET Thursday. "I think decisions to protect are always a lot better than decisions that keep people happy frankly.”

Martin added he will "roll with (leadership's decision) because everything should be what is in the best interest of everyone’s welfare.”

NCAA president Mark Emmert announced Wednesday that all championship events will be restricted due to public health risks surrounding COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. That includes the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments.

Emmert made the decision in consultation with the NCAA's advisory panel on COVID-19, which advised the governing body to hold games but with only essential personnel in attendance.

"While I understand how disappointing this is for all fans of our sports, my decision is based on the current understanding of how COVID-19 is progressing in the United States," Emmert said in a statement. "This decision is in the best interest of public health, including that of coaches, administrators, fans, and, most importantly, our student-athletes. We recognized the opportunity to compete in an NCAA national championship is an experience of a lifetime for the students and their families."