COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Tuesday, Gov. Mike DeWine revealed the state's long-awaited guidance for the start of high school sports for this fall.
The order provides that all sports, contact and non-contact, can go forth this fall.
"We know that sports, particularly contact sports, contributes to the risk of the spread of COVID-19. On the other hand, we know that sports matters and makes a difference. It provides discipline, order, and structure to the lives of student athletes," DeWine said.
The governor acknowledged that several school districts, particularly in urban areas of the state, have postponed all fall sports due to concerns about coronavirus. DeWine stated that those districts will have the option to play their seasons in the spring.
In addition, DeWine mentioned that there will not be fans at events, outside of family members. “We will not have spectators other than family members or people very close to that child and we will of course, leave it up to the school to do that," the governor added.
DeWine says the state's full plan with guidelines will be revealed sometime on Wednesday.
Tuesday's announcement comes as practice is underway at some schools and suspended at others out of concerns over spreading the coronavirus. The National Federation of State High School Associations says dozens of states nationwide delayed fall sports, and at least 15 won’t play high school football this autumn.
During last Thursday's briefing, DeWine said the guidelines for sports will come in consultation with parents, schools and the Ohio High School Athletics Association. He did tease then that the state would limit the number of spectators permitted to attend games.
"We're going to restrict the number of fans," DeWine said at the time. "We want the athletes to compete. We want young people to have their seasons. But we want to do it safely as possible and so this will be a little disruptive for some people. But what we want to make sure is that parents, people who mean a lot to that particular child have the opportunity to see them. And then for the rest of us, we'll have to hear about the game or we can pick it up on the internet or YouTube.
DeWine's announcement regarding sports comes after weeks of anticipation heading into the fall sports seasons. Under Ohio's current order regarding sports, athletes in contact sports must undergo coronavirus testing prior to each competition and spectators aren't permitted to attend games, however, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said earlier this month that isn't the order the state intends to use this fall.
The Associated Press contributed to this story