Gov. Andrew Cuomo has given permission for high school sports deemed as high risk to begin next month, pending approval by county health departments.

Cuomo said sports considered high risk - such as basketball, wrestling, hockey and competitive cheer -can begin Feb. 1 if there is county approval.

Suffolk Basketball Association head John McCaffery was encouraged by the news.

"We definitely feel like it is a huge positive step in the right direction," said McCaffery. "We saw that Laura Curran and Nassau County came out and said we trust the schools, we trust them to do it right and safely, and fingers crossed we have a lot of faith that Steve Bellone will say the same thing and the department of health will say the same thing, and we can finally make it safe and free and equitable for all kids."

If high-risk sports do return, here are the guidelines:

- Masks are to be worn as tolerable
- No handshakes or unnecessary contact
- Travel restrictions based on Department of Health guidelines
- 50% maximum capacity at the facility, and a max of two guests per participant.
- No spectators.

Teams would be able to play games following six practices.

Nassau Executive Laura Curran approved of Cuomo's decision, saying she's directed the Nassau County Health Department to work with school districts to safely resume school sports according to state guidance.

Click HERE for more info from the state.