BATH – With COVID-19 still a very real threat across the United States, there are some businesses that have not been permitted to reopen yet in New York. Sports and Recreation Guidelines can be found on the NY Forward website, detailing very specific information about the risk level of various sports and what type of play is allowed.
“Fitness and physical activity plays an important role in our overall health. We encourage residents to try a new sport or physical activity from the list to help maintain their health while we wait for gyms to open fully,” said Public Health Director Darlene Smith.
Moderate and lower risk sports include baseball and softball, tennis and racket games, water polo, gymnastics, field hockey, swimming, crew, rafting, paintball, soccer, non-contact lacrosse, flag football, BMX bike racing, individual running, golf and mini golf, rock climbing, horse events and competition, toss or bowl games, flying disc games, and ropes courses.
For moderate and lower risk sports the following type of play is allowed:
· Individual or distanced group training or activities
· Organized no/low contact group training (e.g. sports camps and clinics)
· Competitive team practices
· Games, meets, matches, scrimmages
During all of the above types of play it is expected that individuals will be able to avoid touching shared equipment, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment will be conducted between each use by different individuals, or there will be no shared equipment.
Higher risk sports include football, wrestling, ice hockey, rugby, basketball, contact lacrosse, volleyball, martial arts, and competitive cheer and dance. For these activities, individual or distanced group training or activities and organized no or low contact group training is allowed.
Any indoor sport or recreational activity that is allowed above must be limited to no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy, inclusive of employees, patrons, players, and spectators. Six feet of distance between individuals must be maintained at all times, whether indoors or outdoors. If a shorter distance is required, individuals must wear face coverings.
Outdoor fitness classes are permitted. Participants must maintain a distance of six feet from all others, and higher-risk activities where physical contact cannot be avoided, such as martial arts or boxing, is prohibited. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment or must clean and disinfect equipment in between each use.
Employees must wear face coverings any time they interact with patrons, players or spectators, regardless of distance. Please note that personal training is not included in the list of approved sports and recreation. At this time, the reopening of fitness facilities for all previous purposes has not been permitted.
“We hear from owners of fitness centers and personal trainers on a daily basis and understand their frustration of remaining closed to full operations,” said County Manager Jack Wheeler. “A center may provide services if they fall within the Sports and Recreation guidelines issued by the state. In the meantime, we continue to strongly advocate for the businesses that remain closed, as we know how important it is for them to open, with the appropriate health and safety protocols.”
