Gyms in New York state will be allowed to reopen at the start of next week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday, but will be required to limit their capacity and undertake special precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at those facilities.
Masks will be required at all times in gyms, Cuomo said, regardless of what activity the member is participating in.
“The gyms are going to say these are difficult guidelines, and they are,” Cuomo said. “A lot of gyms, and a lot of people, are going tos ay I don’t want to be on a treadmill with a mask.”
Gyms will be required to limit their operations to 33% of the facility’s capacity. They’ll also be required to have an HVAC system that can filter out the virus, Cuomo said. Local governments will be responsible for inspecting gyms before they open.
Cuomo said those facilities will be allowed to reopen as soon as next Monday, Aug. 24th if the local government can perform an inspection in time.
Movie theaters will remain closed for the time being, Cuomo said. He said facilities like gyms are considered more essential than movie theaters to the general public in New York, and that they’re still considering how best to open theaters.
