SAFETY PROTOCOLS & INFORMATION

We are committed to running our facilities through actions which demonstrate kindness, inclusion and safety. This webpage will provide full information on what you need to know when coming to the Y.

MASK REQUIREMENTS

Beginning Friday, May 14, members, program participants and staff of YMCA of Bucks County who are fully vaccinated may utilize our facilities and participate in programs without a face mask.

The policies below now apply only to members, program participants and staff who are not fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated is defined as:

• 2 weeks after your 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

When not fully vaccinated:

Masks are required 100% of the time indoors for those who are not fully vaccinated

The Pennsylvania Department of Health now states that masks are mandatory indoors when away from home and outdoors when with others who are not members of your household and unable to maintain sustained physical distance when not fully vaccinated.

Masks are required indoors at the Y including while exercising in classes or on machines, while playing group sports including basketball and pickleball, in locker rooms and while walking on the pool deck.  Masks may only be removed upon entering water for swimming. 

When outdoors, a face covering must be worn when unable to maintain sustained physical distance (staying at least six feet away) while with others who are not members of the person's household. 

When fully vaccinated per the CDC on mask wearing: “You should still take steps to protect yourself and others in many situations, like wearing a mask and staying at least 6 feet apart from others.”

<FULL INFORMATION ON MASK REQUIREMENTS HERE>

WHAT'S EXPECTED OF MEMBERS AT EACH VISIT

• Mask requirements in place <READ MORE HERE>
• One-time wavier requiring electronic signature before first visit, <click here> for information or <click here> to sign immediately
• Temperature check and brief health assessment survey that includes these questions: 
  • Have you had a fever in the past 24 hours; temperature over 100.4?
  • Have you experienced a cough or shortness of breath that is new or worse than your baseline?
  • Have you been in close contact or cared for a person with a lab confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
  • Have you experienced a loss of taste/smell?
  • Have you experienced cold/flu-like symptoms (sore throat, chills, muscle pain, etc.)?

Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 or higher or answering “yes” to any of the assessment questions will not be allowed to enter the building.

• Pool usage limited to 45-minutes per visit and 3 visits per week
• Social distancing at all times
• Member cleaning of equipment before and after use is mandatory
• Frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing

Updates/changes to previous policies:

• No time restrictions on building usage
• No limits on land group exercise class participation (aquatic group ex limited to 3x/week)
  
• No time restrictions on Fitness Center usage per visit
• Guests are permitted when accompanied by member (as of 11/2/20)

Policies and Branch Setup: What's Different

What will be different? What policies have changed? Read below:

• Equipment is spaced 100 sq/ft apart or when unable to space equipment it will be temporarily closed off
  
• Member cleaning of equipment before and after use is MANDATORY
• Towel service will not be available
• 'Touchless' transactions using a card on file (no cash)  is encouraged
  
• Stay & Play babysitting by reservation (no S & P available in Newtown or Warminster)
• Facility access will be limited to age 13+ (age 12 when accompanied by a parent/guardian) except during Teen Fusion hours for 7th graders, Monday thru Friday, afterschool to 6:00PM, when they can access Y without parent/guardian
  
• Water fountains will be bottle-fill only
• No Lost & Found
• Increased disinfection/sanitation
• Increased signage and floor markings
• Plexiglass dividers at the Welcome Center
• Intermittent area closures for sanitizing with electrostatic fogging machines
• Staff will undergo a daily health assessment and wear masks at all times
• Lobby furniture will return effective 4/23/21
• New Health & Safety Champions to ensure staff and members are following safety protocols

Branches at a Glance