COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus City Schools District is suspending in-person sports and other extracurricular activities, citing concerns about the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

“Today’s decision is a difficult one, but throughout this pandemic, our top priority has been the health and safety of our students, their families, our staff, and the Columbus community,” Superintendent/CEO Talisa Dixon says in a news release from the district. The suspension takes effect Friday.

“We all know how important athletics and extracurricular activities are to our students, as well as the fabric of our schools and the communities they serve,” Dixon says. “But we also know the importance of protecting the health and safety of our students and those communities. We must make our decisions about the fall with that in mind.”

Columbus joins other metropolitan school districts in the state in suspending or delaying fall sports and other activities, including Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Cincinnati Public Schools. Several other districts in Northeast Ohio have suspended sports as well.

Last week, an Ohio Department of Health order that went into effect that prohibits spectators at contact sports games. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says he will make an announcement on the status of high school sports this fall, particularly in regards to contact sports and football, on Tuesday.

Columbus will begin the school year with online classes on Sept. 8.

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