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COLUMBUS -- All fall high school sports are officially a go in the state of Ohio.
But, only family members of players, cheerleaders and band members will be permitted to watch.
Gov. Mike DeWine gave his official blessing for "all sports to move forward," effective Friday when the new Ohio Department of Health order becomes official, during his Tuesday COVID-19 media briefing.
"We all know the importance of sports," DeWine said. "Sports matter and they provide things like discipline, order, structure and bring joy to the athletes and their families. We believe our order provides the best guidance to play sports as safely as they can be played in the era of COVID-19."
The new order, which will be available in coming days, has no requirement for testing for high school athletes.
In regards to the possibility of the virus spreading because of sports, DeWine, however, was very realistic about things, too.
"We have certainly heard from parents and athletes, we've talked to coaches, doctors, health experts and school officials, and we know just as going back to school in person increases the risk of (coronavirus) spread, we know sports, particularly contact sports, do as well," DeWine said. "The more spread in a community means the higher risk for spread in the school."
In his research into whether or not to give the green light for sports, DeWine came away quite impressed that seemingly all of the focus was on the kids and their ability to compete or take part in the activity.
However, unlike professional or even major college athletics, dealing with minors made it nearly impossible to entirely eliminate fans for the 2020 season.
"The focus should be on young people, but it's also important, I believe, for a young person to have people there to support them," DeWine said. "Many times it's family members, but it might be someone else who is very, very close to that young person. We will not have spectators other than family members or people very close to that particular child."
Similar to the return-to-school methods, DeWine is leaving how to enforce that up to each individual school to determine.
Since the order takes effect on Friday, it coincides with the official start of soccer season and the annual 'Friday Night Futbol' that is staged around the Buckeye State. It also gives football teams a chance to squeeze in a scrimmage should it choose, assuming the OHSAA signs off scrimmages.
"I hope this inspires our student-athletes, who have a strong desire to have a season, to be as careful as they can 24-7," DeWine said. "I hope coaches will use this as an opportunity to focus on helping young people to understand what's really at stake. If they want to continue to play, they're going to have to do everything they can to keep COVID-19 out of their team."
Though DeWine provided the opportunity for athletics to proceed in the fall, he stressed that the ultimate decision to sponsor a sport or compete in a sport remains with the school districts and families.
"Some schools have already made a decision that they won't be playing in the fall, and we don't want to exclude those children," DeWine said. "We want to give them the hope and the opportunity to have a season."
Seemingly speaking on behalf of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, DeWine said that school districts have the option to state a football, soccer or field hockey season in the spring should it choose. However, it would have to be able to come up with a schedule.
"The Lt. Governor (Jon Husted) and I have had conversation with the (OHSAA) and they've given the go-ahead for schools that want to (move the season) to do that and play in the spring," DeWine explained. "Our goal is to provide the student and schools the best opportunity we can so that person can participate. No one knows what the future will be or how far into the season we will get."
DeWine and Husted did reserve the right to shut the season down should things "get off the rails" in terms of COVID-19 outbreaks.
"Athletes, coaches and families are going to have to demonstrate the discipline to follow the rules to protect themselves and teammates to stop the spread of the virus," Husted said. "They now have extra incentive to do the right things away from the field."
Husted indicated the OHSAA will be holding schools accountable should rules and protocols not be followed. It will disperse "site inspectors" to make sure rules are followed.
"Failure to comply could result in forfeits or disqualification from athletic contests,' Husted said. "Athletes, here's your chance to play the sports you love and the opportunity to show us you possess the discipline to make it work, and we all want you to be successful and happy."