NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced that gyms across the state will be allowed to open at 33% capacity as soon as August 24.
The governor said the guidelines include mandating masks at all times and meeting ventilation requirements.
"The locality must open them Sept. 2," Cuomo said Monday. "The localities have a role here. They have to inspect the gyms before they open or within two weeks of their opening to make sure they're meeting all the requirements. So that variation is to give localities time if the localities need it. So if the localities can get the inspections done or be ready to inspect then they can open up August 24. If a locality can't get ready to do inspections then they get another week, they can do it Sept. 2."
Cuomo said localities will determine whether gyms can hold indoor classes.
"The local elected will make the decision in a jurisdiction and the local health departments must inspect before or within 2 weeks to make sure all the guidelines are in place," Cuomo said.
Gyms had been originally slated to reopen under the state's Phase 4 reopening, which many communities outside of the city reached in June, but Cuomo delayed those plans.
Gyms have taken a big hit in the pandemic and more than 2,000 fitness-related businesses in New York sued the state over the delayed opening in July for financial losses incurred during the coronavirus shutdown.
"We work a little but more as PT, we're not really sweating. We can monitor our entire situation and to be classified with a large gym doesn't make sense," said Adrienne Yurgosky, who owns pilates studios in Manhattan and Queens. "I can tell you right my classes are three or four people. We monitor everyone who comes in. There's maybe 20 people who come in per day."
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio says they won't be opening until at least after Labor Day.
"While it's encouraging that we've reached the point where it's acceptable for them to begin reopening in our communities, this is not the time to forget that the pandemic is ongoing," Cuomo said. "New Yorkers must closely adhere to the guidelines and local health departments are required to strictly enforce them to help ensure gyms and fitness centers reopen safely and protect the public health."
Here is the 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 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 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.
Meanwhile, bowling alleys are being allowed to reopen across the state at 50% capacity on Monday.
All patrons will be required to wear face coverings, every other lane must stay closed to promote social distancing and all establishments must have strict cleaning and disinfecting protocols in places, especially on shared and rented equipment. Bowlers will be required to stay in their lanes with their own parties. Food and alcohol will be limited to wait service.
Nick Paxino of Woodmere Lanes in Woodmere spent the entire weekend cleaning up and getting ready for bowlers to return.
"We had a lot of cleaning and partitions and getting protocols in place," Paxino said. "We're going every other lane. Where you can't get on the lane until we have done disinfecting and cleaning of the balls, the shoes and everything that you can imagine."
He says he'll take half capacity for now, but believes it won't work long term.
"You take what you can get when you can get it. For now it'll have to suffice. We'll see where it goes in the future," Paxino said.
It's a different story in New York City's five boroughs.
Brooklyn Bowl co-owner Charley Ryan says his lanes are staying dark because indoor dining still isn't allowed in the city.
"For us right now it's an easy call. We can't serve the patrons that come in anything other than bowling. It's just not viable for us to be open," Ryan said. "We don't think it'll be compelling to anyone to come if they can't eat or drink."
Museums, aquariums and other low-risk indoor cultural activities have been cleared to open in New York City starting Aug. 24 at 25% occupancy. Timed ticketing will be required along with pre-set staggered entry. Face coverings will be mandatory.
On Monday, Gov. Cuomo said the percentage of people testing positive for the coronavirus in New York state has remained below 1 percent for 10 straight days.
Of the 56,891 test results reported to New York State on Sunday, 408, or 0.71 percent, were positive.
The rate is the state's lowest since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis.
Cuomo also reported six coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the state death toll to 25,256.