To say that the order is polarizing would be an understatement.

In regards to contact sports — which are defined as football, basketball, rugby, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling, hockey, boxing, futsal and martial arts with opponents — the ODH has ruled that in addition to monitoring for symptoms, a COVID-19 test must be administered to each athlete and team staff member participating in the competition no more than 72 hours prior to the start of the competition. The results of the tests must be in hand prior to the start of the competition.

Additionally, the ODH has ruled that spectators aren’t currently permitted to attend any competitions for contact sports. You can read the ODH’s full guidance regarding the resumption of sports amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic here.

The ODH’s new guidance was released one day after the Ohio High School Athletic Association reaffirmed its plans to move forward with its fall sports seasons. Shortly after the ODH released its guidance, the OHSAA released a statement seeking clarification and asking for modifications relating to safety protocols and spectators.

It also didn’t take long for those on social media — including fans and parents — to weigh in on the ODH’s new protocols, which could threaten the viability of fall sports seasons for many districts across the state, some of which have already opted to at least pause their school activities.

Cancel it already and move the season to the spring!!! There is absolutely no reason for this constant roller coaster of emotions for coaches, kids and parents!!!! Our county currently has ZERO cases . It is so unbelievably frustrating . We want a season no matter when it is!

— abbydavis (@mommaabbyd) August 3, 2020

OHSAA needs to find out if other states are requiring covid testing before games. They could then use the information to show Dewine how unreasonable he is!

— tricia wintergerst (@teedub22tw) August 3, 2020

@GovMikeDeWine You better start to engage in meaningful leadership. The citizens of Ohio are about to be at each other’s throats over school and sports because you and @OHSAASports keep kicking the can down the road. It is NOT SAFE and you folks know it. Someone needs to lead!!

— Kim Costa (@Kanncosta) August 3, 2020

That’s right … we are talking about thousands and thousands of dollars per week for even a small school. It is not sustainable from a budgetary standpoint

— Bob Longworth (@LocklandLocal) August 3, 2020

If the OHSAA is requiring that all athletes, coaches, trainers, etc have a COVID test 72 hours prior to competition who is paying for this to be done?? Each test runs between $89-$100. Multiply that by maybe 60-100 people to be tested each week!! Do the math…who’s paying 4 that

— Jackie (@jackiegiles1965) August 3, 2020

@KenCarmanShow First off, if they test all of the athletes/staff/athletic trainers…. who is paying for it?? There is no way a HS is affording weeks of testing all involved! Huge monetary issue! Is #OHSAA paying?? Schools? Parents??

— Adrianne Cole (@PTACole1) August 3, 2020

I mean… NBA gets there’re own “bubble”, MLB gets spit test… hmm why are our kids being punished? Stick a swab up their nose every few days when they have NO symptoms?? What happened to masks and tempt checks!!!!! ?? Not a professional so you can’t play !!

— Browns5050 (@browns5050) August 3, 2020

Additionally, many have taken to social media to share a petition calling for OHSAA athletes to be excluded from mandatory testing.