A person exercises on an elliptical machine at a Crunch Fitness gym location in Burbank, California, U.S., on Tuesday, June 23, 2020. California’s new cases rose by a record and Florida infections jumped more than the weekly average, more signs of a possible resurgence of coronavirus in U.S. Sun Belt states. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg
Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg News Service
ALBANY — The state will issue guidance on Monday for how gyms can safely reopen in New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Friday.
Gyms, malls and movie theaters were not allowed to reopen until the state Health Department determined if air-filtering systems can circulate the coronavirus and whether there are filters available that would remove it from the air.
In July, Cuomo announced malls in regions that have reached phase four that install enhanced filters to remove COVID-19 particulates from the air could reopen. Cuomo has not provided a timetable for movie theaters to restart business.
It’s not yet known what precautions will be required at gyms, although many owners said they have already reconfigured their gym equipment and developed plans to limit occupancy and install ample cleaning stations.
“The New York State Fitness Alliance thanks Gov. Cuomo for his continued leadership in reopening the economy in an intelligent way,” said Bill Lia, Chair of New York State Fitness Alliance and whose family operates multiple Vent Fitness businesses in the Capital Region. “The fitness industry is ready to reopen safely, with proper protocols in place to protect our employees and members. We look forward to providing New Yorkers access to safe fitness facilities so they can advance their physical and mental health.”
Cuomo on Friday also said that bowling alleys can reopen on Monday with 50 percent capacity and face masks required. Every other lane must be closed and each group must remain at their own lane even for food service.
In New York City, he also approved small and art cultural institutions to reopen with a 25 percent maximum occupancy on Aug. 24.
“After five months of uncertainty and anxiety, many of the small, local businesses left out of New York’s economic reopening strategy have been given some hope, direction, and opportunity. Gyms, bowling alleys, and New York City cultural institutions have been patient and desperate for any indication about their futures,” said Greg Biryla, New York State director of the National Federation of Independent Business. “New York’s economic revival must begin on Main Street and we thank the Governor and his team for listening to these essential contributors to our state and local economies.”
New York saw its seventh straight day where less than 1 percent of coronavirus tests conducted delivered a positive result, Cuomo said this week.
“While the other states are seeing real trouble, we are doing really well,” Cuomo said. “We have to protect the progress and quarantine from other states.”
While schools can reopen, Cuomo warned school administrators to listen to the concerns of parents and teachers when crafting reopening plans. Schools must have calls with parents and teachers to discuss reopening plans and allow those groups to ask questions and give feedback. He said some schools are being “overly bureaucratic” and if they do not listen to concerns and “stonewall conversations,” students and teachers will opt not to return.
