Cuomo gives gyms the green light to reopen; McMahon provides guidance for Onondaga County inspections, grants

ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday announced that gyms and fitness centers can reopen in New York state starting Aug. 24.

Facilities that reopen will be subject to “rigorous health and safety standards” and all gyms and fitness centers will be able to open by Sept. 2.

Local health departments will need to inspect before or within two weeks of the gym/fitness center opening to ensure compliance, Cuomo’s office said in a Monday news release.

Local elected officials may choose to delay the reopening of gyms and fitness centers until Sept. 2 to, in part, provide time for required local health-department inspections, and may also choose to delay the reopening of indoor fitness classes until a date after Sept. 2, Cuomo’s office said.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon says the county will handle those inspections as it hears from gyms and fitness center through their document filing at the New York Forward website. He also encouraged those who own gyms, fitness centers, and bowling alleys to apply for grant funding to help with reopening expenses.

State guidance

The state’s guidance says gyms will operate under the parameters of 33 percent capacity, and those using the facilities must wear masks at all times, including during exercise.

Patrons will also have to sign in so the health department can do contact tracing in case of an outbreak. At check-in they will undergo a health screening.

Gyms should operate at MERV-13 or greater with their air-conditioning systems. If they are unable to operate at that level, they must have heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional document their inability to do so and adopt additional ventilation and mitigation protocols from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Localities can also determine whether gyms postpone resumption of indoor classes, Cuomo’s office said. Throughout upstate New York, a given county’s chief executive may decide to opt-out of indoor group fitness and aquatic classes within their jurisdiction, postponing their resumption until a later date.

Onondaga County inspection

In his Monday coronavirus briefing at the Oncenter, McMahon provided instructions for owners of gyms and fitness centers to request an inspection.

They need to go to the New York Forward website for business affirmations and complete the document.

“We receive these business affirmations,” McMahon said during the briefing. “Our team will then contact you and will schedule an inspection … We’ll make sure everybody gets inspected and is compliant.”

Grant funding available

McMahon is also encouraging gym and fitness owners to apply for grant funding for any expenses pertaining to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’ve earmarked $150,000 of that specifically for gyms, bowling alleys … the businesses that opened up later. Please take advantage of that,” said McMahon.

Those interested can email reopen@ongov.net or call (315) 435-2210 for more details, he adds.

The Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) on Aug. 10 announced $500,000 in small-business grants to help with COVID-related expenses.