TRENTON – During an Aug. 26 coronavirus update, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that gyms and indoor recreation can reopen, but provided guidance for how to do it safely.
The new regulations go into effect on Sept. 1, he said.
In the case of gyms and health centers, only 25 percent of the normal capacity can be let in, he said. Everyone – workers and patrons – must wear masks.
Equipment must be sanitized in between customers. If the equipment can’t be sanitized, it must not be used
Equipment must be spaced apart 6 feet for proper social distancing. If this is not possible, then machines should be cordoned off. For example, a row of treadmills might have every other one in operation.
For health classes, there can only be one customer per 200 square feet of space.
These facilities will need to maintain a log of customers and employees, and when they were in the establishment. Murphy said this is in case someone tests positive, they can do contact tracing to inform other people that they might have been exposed.
Any outdoor activities that these businesses are doing would continue to go on with the current outside regulations.
As for indoor amusement, the guidelines are still forthcoming, he said. However, they would be similar to other inside businesses.
Murphy has been criticized by residents and some local officials for reopening the state too slowly. Another criticism is that the changes happen too quickly for business owners or local leaders to get the personnel and other moving pieces in operation quickly enough after he reopens something.
