By Allison Perrine
The Jersey Shore can resume its gym, tanning and laundry regimen now that Gov. Phil Murphy said health clubs may reopen at 25 percent capacity. But don’t forget a mask, he warned.
Effective Sept. 1, gyms and indoor amusement can reopen with specific guidelines in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible. He warns that gyms are among the most challenging of indoor environments during this pandemic, because of their confined spaces.
“Given where we are in this fight, we believe we are ready to take this step for ward,” said Murphy during a press conference Wednesday. “I know it has been a long time coming and I thank the many…responsible gym owners who have done the right things and worked with us over the past several months.”
As stated in the executive order, group fitness classes will resume for one person per 200 square feet. All members and staff must wear masks at all times and must log the times they enter and exit the facilities, in case contact tracers must later reach others who were in the gym at the same time as an infected person. At least 6 feet of distance must be maintained between equipment, which must be sanitized frequently between uses.
“As many gyms have transitioned to outdoor activities, those may continue pursuant to current limits for outdoor gatherings and so long as members can maintain a safe 6-foot social distance,” said Murphy.
Customers are asked to arrive in their workout clothes as there will be limited access to locker rooms and no access to showers, he added.
Because the virus spreads through the air via respiratory droplets, state Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli warns how easily the virus could spread if protocols are not followed. This stands especially true in fitness centers as most people breathe more rapidly and deeply as they work out, which causes them to release more droplets. It’s also a place where equipment is shared, wheth- er it be free weights or car- dio machines.
“(The) CDC released a study earlier this month that examined cluster cases in South Korea that stemmed from fitness dance classes, which demonstrated that intense physical exercise in a densely populated sports facility could increase the risk of infection,” said Persichilli. “In total, 112 persons were infected with COVID-19 associated with classes at 12 sports facilities.” The study found that large class sizes, small spaces and the intensity of workouts contributed to the potential for catching the virus, she added.
For indoor amusement, state guidance will be forthcoming but Murphy said he believes it will be similar to the guidelines already in place for other indoor recreation facilities.
Additionally, Murphy reported that the number of states on the travel advisory list has shrunk “substantially” for the first time. The list requires anyone traveling to New Jersey – resident or nonresident – from a state with a seven-day rolling average either more than 10 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents or a daily positivity greater than 10 percent, to quarantine. Five states have been removed from the list and none have been added, aside from Guam, which is a territory.
The new statewide total of positive COVID-19 cases reached 190,306, as of Wednesday, an increase of 288. The daily positivity rate for Aug. 22 was 1.99 percent, which increased a tick. As of Aug. 25, there were 229 COVID-19 confirmed patients in state hospitals and 196 patients under investigation, making the total 425. Of that number, 72 individuals were in critical or intensive care.
The total death toll reached 14,134, Murphy reported Wednesday, with an additional 1,780 probable deaths that have not been lab-confirmed. More information is available at covid19.nj.gov/travel.
“Let’s all remember that our No. 1 goal is to slow the spread of this virus and by doing so save lives,” he said. “Even as we see the metrics improving and the list shrinking, we continue to ask everybody to practice self-responsibility and good citizenship by complying with our travel advisories.”
This article appeared in the Aug. 27-Sept. 2 issue of The Two River Times.
