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Ohio's current sports order isn't the plan for fall season, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted says

Ohio Lt. Jon Husted said at a press briefing on Tuesday that the state's current sports order isn't intended for the fall season.

Over the weekend, the Ohio Department of Health extended an order regarding guidelines and regulations for athletic competitions.

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But while that order -- which included requirements for every athlete and coach in a contact sport to undergo coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and prohibited fans from attending competitions for contact sports -- received plenty of attention, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted said that the state plans to adjust its protocols prior to the start of the fall sports season.

"There has been some confusion about this in that the renewal of the order somehow represents the plan for return to play this fall. I want you to know that's not the case," Husted said. "We are still working with the Ohio High School Athletic Association to finalize that plan and we are still considering many options. 

"We're trying to keep those options open. Because we want student-athletes to return to play. We're trying to accommodate both the health and the practical considerations that must go into any decision for the athletes, coaches and fans."

Husted's comments echo the sentiment shared by the OHSAA in a memo sent to its member schools on Monday, which stated that the ODH's current order is only temporary.

Later on in Tuesday's press briefing, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine acknowledged that mass testing for all student-athletes before each game likely wouldn't be feasible. Husted also added that both the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals have submitted plans to have fans attend games this fall and that those proposals are currently under review.

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