Dear YMCA of Montclair Community,
As you may be aware, the CDC has issued guidance that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear masks or social distance indoors or outdoors, except under certain circumstances. Citing New Jersey’s improving health statistics and vaccination rates, Governor Phil Murphy is lifting the indoor mask mandate and social distancing rules for those who are fully vaccinated beginning Friday, May 28.
These changes do not apply to programming at the Geyer Family YMCA, after-school programs, summer camps, and indoor programming for youth age 11 and under. We follow the protocol mandated by the NJ Office of Licensing and Montclair Dept. of Health for these programs. Y staff and children 2 years and older will continue to wear masks in these settings.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MEMBERS VISITING
THE PARK STREET YMCA?
MASK WEARING
As of May 28, members who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear masks.
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. Children age 11 and under and Y staff working with children at Park Street will continue to wear masks indoors.
We are counting on the integrity of our Y community to follow this guidance based on their vaccination status.
In honoring our Y core values (Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility) and respecting your fellow Y members, please remember individuals may continue to wear a mask because they are mid-vaccine, unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons, or as an extra precaution.
Please respect everyone’s masking choice.
If you have any questions regarding the mask policy while accessing the facility, please see a Member Engagement Representative at our Welcome Center.
TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND WELLNESS SCREENS
The Montclair Department of Health no longer requires temperature checks or wellness screens. We will no longer require these at the Park Street YMCA.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Our 6 feet spaced Group Ex classes and gym machine layout will remain for the time being.
RESERVATION SYSTEM
Group Ex and Aquatics will continue to operate through our MotionVibe reservation system.
ENHANCED CLEANING PROTOCOLS
Our Y will continue to adhere to enhanced cleaning protocols, including electrostatic spray, utilization of AirPHX air filtration, etc. The Y will continue to close between 1-3 PM daily (except for Senior Hour from 1-2 PM) for deep cleaning.
CAPACITY
Workout areas are no longer limited based on capacity, and do not require a reservation. Aquatics classes and swim lanes will soon have updated guidelines for capacity – stay tuned for more detailed information in the coming days.
EMPLOYEES
Our Park Street staff will continue to wear masks while we determine updated staff policies and procedures over the next few days. Vaccinated staff will have the same choices as members.
Camp, childcare, and afterschool care staff will continue to wear masks per the Office of Licensing and Dept of Health, regardless of vaccination status.
The safety of our members, participants, and staff remains our top priority. We will continue to uphold COVID-19 safety guidelines from the CDC and Montclair Department of Health.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death.
- COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of people spreading COVID-19. There is information showing it is unlikely a vaccinated person who becomes infected with the coronavirus transmits it to someone else.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19, or if you are sick, you should stay home.
We appreciate your care and respect for your fellow Y members as we continue to work together to maintain the safest environment possible.