BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA

SAFE AT THE Y

WELCOME BACK!

MOVING FORWARD

WHAT TO EXPECT

Just like so many things in our lives have changed, your Y experience will look a little different when you return. Here are some expectations for our members and staff along with some changes you will see in our facilities and offerings.

FEELING SICK

We ask you to stay home if you feel sick and refrain from entering our facilities if you have had a temperature in the last 72 hours, or believe you were exposed to the Coronavirus within the last 14 days.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Social Distancing should be practiced at all times while in YMCA facilities and on YMCA property. Please stay at least 6 feet apart, as much as possible and respect the personal space of others.

HANDWASHING AND SANITIZING

We ask that everyone entering our Y facilities wash/sanitize their hands upon entrance into buildings and regularly throughout their visit to the Y facilities to help keep themselves and others safe. Hand sanitation supplies are located throughout the facilities.

EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE CLEANLINESS

Please use the cleaning material provided to wipe equipment, lockers, and chairs before and after each use.

Protocol for cleaning will be posted in each individual area.

OUR REOPENING PLAN

BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA is excited to announce the reopening of the Y and the Early Learning Center! In alignment with guidance from the CDC, local licensing agencies, and health officials, we find it necessary to implement a few important guidelines and operational changes as we reopen. These changes are listed below.

Please keep in mind that these guidelines and procedures are subject to change, based on new information or additional guidance we may receive from health officials.

This reopening plan is a living document. All necessary changes will be made to ensure growth of our programs and the continued health and safety of members and staff.

All timely changes will be updated on the Y Website.

LATEST NEWS FROM THE Y

UPDATED MASKING POLICY

See below for a note from our Executive Director, Sharon Jones, regarding the updated mask policy:

May 14, 2021

Dear BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA Members,

As you are aware, since reopening our facilities in June 2020, we have followed both CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines related to COVID-19 safety protocols. We thank you for your support throughout this time.

Late yesterday afternoon, the CDC announced that individuals fully vaccinated for COVID-19 no longer need to wear a mask while indoors. Shortly after the CDC announcement, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that effective immediately, no one fully vaccinated for COVID-19 is subject to the state Mask Order, which remains in effect until 70 percent of Pennsylvanians are vaccinated.

The full announcement from the Pennsylvania Department of Health is available for you to read.

In accordance with this announcement, beginning Friday, May 14, members, program participants and staff of The Blair Regional YMCA who are fully vaccinated may utilize our facilities and participate in programs without a facemask.

Fully vaccinated is defined as:

2 weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or

2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

If you do not meet the above requirements, you are NOT considered fully vaccinated and therefore are required to continue to wear a mask when inside a YMCA facility and when outdoors on our grounds when social distancing cannot be maintained. We are counting on the integrity of our Y community to follow this guidance based on their vaccination status.

Blair Regional YMCA staff must submit verification of vaccination to Human Resources to no longer wear a mask indoors; however, some may still choose to wear a mask despite their vaccination status.

In honoring our Y core values and respecting your fellow Y members and Y staff, please remember individuals may continue to wear a mask because they are mid-vaccine or as an extra precaution. If you have any questions regarding the mask order while accessing the facility, please see a Member Engagement Representative at our Welcome Center.

We will continue to complete temperature checks upon entry into the facility, maintain social distance around our equipment and group exercise spaces, use our reservation system, and apply our enhanced cleaning practices. These additional safety precautions will remain in effect and will be reevaluated in the upcoming weeks in accordance with the lifting of all mitigation orders announced for May 31, 2021.

Prior to the announcement yesterday, we had planned to refinish the floors in gym #1 and #2 the week of May 25th, requiring us to move the equipment out of the gym and back into the wellness center, as well as to relocate classes/programs. The equipment move will now take place on Saturday, May 22nd. Gym #1 & #2 will be closed from May 25th through May 31st. More information, regarding the gym schedule will be forthcoming.

The safety of our members, participants, and staff remain our top priority. We will continue to uphold COVID-19 safety guidelines from the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health. We appreciate your care and respect for your fellow Y members as we continue to work together to maintain the safest environment possible.

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Jones
Executive Director

BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA WILL FOLLOW MASKING ORDER

May 13, 2021

The Blair Regional YMCA is excited to announce that the YMCA will follow the newly revised PA mask order update that allows fully vaccinated adults to resume activities indoors or outdoors without masks or distancing, in gatherings large or small.

Masking requirement will still be in place as otherwise provided under the CDC guidance and for unvaccinated individuals until 70 percent of Pennsylvanians aged 18 and older are fully vaccinated.