Governor Cuomo announces gyms and fitness centers can reopen starting August 24th
From the North Country Chamber of Commerce
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that gyms and fitness centers can begin opening starting on Monday, August 24th with limits to capacity and other safety restrictions.
Local elected officials may choose to delay the reopening of gyms and fitness centers until September 2 to, in part, provide time for required local health department inspections, and may also choose to delay the reopening of indoor fitness classes until a date beyond September 2. Outside of New York City, the county’s chief executive – county executive, administrator, manager, or chair of the local elected legislative body – will determine whether gym reopening needs to be postponed.
Localities can also determine whether gyms postpone the resumption of indoor classes. Throughout the rest of the state, the county’s chief executive may decide to opt-out of indoor group fitness and aquatic classes within their jurisdiction, postponing their resumption until a later date. Local health departments must inspect gyms prior to reopening, or within two weeks of reopening, to ensure strict adherence to Department of Health guidance.
Guidance for Gyms and Fitness Centers:
Capacity: 33% occupancy limit.
Access: Sign-in with contact information and health screening required.
PPE: Appropriate face coverings required at all times.
Distancing: 6 feet of separation at all times.
Hygiene/Cleaning: Cleaning and disinfection supplies made available to customers; shared equipment cleaned after every use; staff must also be available to clean and disinfect equipment in between uses; rental equipment must be cleaned and disinfected between customer use.
Classes: By appointment/reservation only; maximum class capacity capped at the number of people that can adhere to the 6-feet social distancing rules, but in no case, more than 33% of the typical class size (i.e., leave stations, cycles, etc. vacant); classes should be scheduled to allow additional time for cleaning and disinfection in between each session.
Amenities: Water bottle refill stations permitted, but not shared water fountains; communal showers are closed, but individual showers/stalls can remain open so long as they are cleaned in between use.
Air Handling Systems: Gyms/fitness centers should operate at MERV-13 or greater; if they are unable to operate at that level, they must have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional document their inability to do so and adopt additional ventilation and mitigation protocols from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Inspection: Local health departments shall inspect before or within two weeks of the gym/fitness center opening to ensure compliance.
Clinton Country Facilities should contact the Clinton Country Health Department to schedule an inspection and for further guidance. If you are a facility outside of Clinton County please contact your local county health department for inspection guidelines.
Gyms and fitness centers should watch the NY Forward website for the expected posting of Guidelines. They will then need to complete a safety plan using the template and affirm acceptance of the guidelines.
Posted: August 17th, 2020 under Business News, Heathcare News, State Government News.