At the First Coast YMCA, safety is our number one priority. We believe it is our social responsibility to do everything we can to keep everyone at the Y healthy.
What safety protocols am I required to follow at the Y?
We highly recommend members, program participants and guests wear a mask indoors at the Y, especially those who are not fully vaccinated.
- Stay Home if Sick – If you are not feeling well, please do not come to the Y.
- Avoid Close Contact – Everyone at the Y is required to follow 6-foot social distancing guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Wash Hands Often – Hand sanitizing stations and disinfectant wipes for equipment will be provided throughout the facility. We also encourage everyone to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
- Clean Equipment Before and After Use – Members should wipe down any equipment they touch before and after use with the disinfectant wipes provided throughout our facilities. Additionally, members may experience wait times to allow time for extra sanitization of equipment on the wellness floor and in group exercise rooms.
Will the Y require masks in the future?
We will continue to monitor transmission rates in the communities we serve and will adjust our policies if needed according to CDC guidance. The CDC’s current mask guidance is as follows:
People, including children older than 2, should wear a mask in indoor public places if they are:
- Not fully vaccinated
- Full vaccinated and in an area with substantial or high transmission
- Fully vaccinated and with weakened immune systems
In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings. In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
What happens if I don’t want to follow the Y’s safety protocols?
People who fail to comply with our policies and procedures may be asked to immediately leave the facility or program. Refusal to comply with these protocols, as stated in the Member Code of Conduct, may result in suspension or termination of membership or participation.
What happens if someone at the Y tests positive for COVID-19?
Per CDC guidelines, the individual can return to the Y once meeting the following criteria:
- Five (5) days from symptom onset or first positive test result and
- No fever for 24 hours and
- Other symptoms are improving
Will I be notified if someone tests positive at the Y?
We will notify anyone at the Y who may have had close contact* with someone who recently tested positive. The health department has informed the Y that the health department is responsible for notifying anyone who may have had prolonged contact with a positive person (contact tracing**). However, out of an abundance of caution and as a courtesy, we will take this extra step to reduce the potential of further spread.
*According to the CDC, for COVID-19, close contact is defined as any individual who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes total within a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
**According to the Florida Department of Health, when a person tests positive for a disease or condition, a public health case investigator will work with the patient to create a list of people they’ve been in contact with during a given time frame. The contact tracing expert then contacts each of those people so that they can take appropriate precautions (getting tested, self-isolation, monitor for symptoms, etc.) and, in turn, create a list of people they’ve been in contact with as necessary.
Will I be safe at the Y if I am considered to be in a vulnerable population?
While we are doing our part to ensure the safety of everyone in our facilities, the CDC says older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and it is recommended they stay home and away from crowds as much as possible, especially if they are not fully vaccinated.
Are there any options for members who do not yet feel safe to return to the Y?
The Virtual Y is available to members. On Demand fitness classes are available to the community.
How often does the Y clean its equipment and facilities?
Employees clean equipment and frequently-touched surfaces in all zones at least three times daily and after individual use. This includes toys and other frequently touched objects in KidZone, Before and Afterschool Care and other youth serving programs. In addition, a professional cleaning service performs a thorough cleaning of the facility every night. We also encourage members to wipe down exercise equipment before and after use with the disinfectant wipes provided on the wellness floor.
What kind of cleaners does the Y use?
The Y will only use products on List N: Disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2 that meet the EPA’s criteria for use against the virus that causes COVID-19.
What if the wipes dispenser is empty or the equipment is dirty?
Please notify a staff member who will address your concerns immediately.
Is the steam room and/or sauna open?
Steam Rooms and Saunas are open with limited capacity to account for social distancing.
Why aren’t you taking temperatures at the door anymore?
In April 2021, we stopped checking temperatures at the door based on guidance from health experts who said we should not rely on temperature as an indicator of who may be infected. They explained that while fever is a COVID-19 symptom, people can also have the virus and transmit it to others even if they don’t have a fever.
Why do I need to sign a new waiver?
The waiver is the same one members sign when joining the First Coast Y, but in section one (paragraph three), the language has been updated to include “exposure to communicable diseases”. Additionally, we have gone paperless and you can now sign the waiver electronically.
Can I place my membership on hold?
Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times. It is our privilege to serve you and our community. While we understand you may feel the need to place your membership on hold, we are encouraging all members to stay engaged with the First Coast YMCA. Please contact your branch to learn more about your options.
How do I make a complaint or give feedback about service?
You can ask to speak to the Executive Director, any Experience team member at the branch or complete an instant feedback survey.
