Limit may rise

Team to meet Monday to discuss limits; protocols remain for now

Astros executive says team wants to “maximize” capacity at Minute Maid.

The Astros intend to maximize capacity at Minute Maid Park for their next homestand, senior vice president for marketing and communications Anita Sehgal said Friday.

The team will keep all current protocols in place for the final two games of their current homestand — including a mask mandate and socially distant sections of seats — but will reconvene Monday for a new set of rules. The Centers for Disease Control released new guidelines this week that allowed those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to stop wearing masks and physically distancing themselves in most indoor or outdoor gatherings.

The Astros have sections of socially distanced seating available for those who request it. Masks are required when not actively eating or drinking, but one glance at photographs from the first 21 games shows lax enforcement of the policy.

Sehgal declined comment when asked whether Minute Maid Park could be at 100 percent capacity by the end of the month. The Texas Rangers are operating Globe Life Field at 100 percent capacity. The Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks are at 100 percent, too.

“We are maintaining all our protocols through the remainder of the homestand, and our intention is to review on Monday and get communication out some time next week that would go into effect sometimes next week,” Sehgal said.