The Minnesota Vikings say they are shutting down plans to allow fans at their 4 remaining home games -- explaining it's just too dangerous right now.
The Vikings have only allowed 250 fans at U.S. Bank Stadium at home games so far this season ... but have been pursuing options to allow thousands more to attend -- with COVID-19 protocols in place.
But Wednesday, the team announced it is canning those plans in light of rising COVID infection rates in the state of Minnesota.
"We will no longer pursue hosting more than 250 fans for the remaining 2020 Vikings regular-season home games," the team said.
"While we have worked hard to develop a safe and responsible plan to bring back a limited number of fans, our decisions have been based on medical guidance with public health as the top priority," the team said in a statement.
"We take seriously Minnesota's rising COVID infection rates and increasing hospitalizations and believe closing the final four home games to fans is the right decision to help protect our community."
The Vikes say they are hoping to bring back fans in 2021 -- but in order for that to happen, the team says everyone needs to work together to prevent spreading the virus ... by wearing face masks, social distancing and limiting social gatherings.