NYC Vaccine Mandate Update (September 2021)
Per New York City guidelines, Gyms are currently required to validate the vaccination status for members as a requirement for entry. Members may physically show or email us their CDC-issued vaccine card, the New York State Excelsior Pass, the NYC COVID Safe app or a picture of their vaccination card. Members who do not provide us proof of vaccination will be unable to continue attending any programs until the mandate is removed.
Updated Covid Safety Protocols (4/9/21)
Hey everyone, we wanted to check in and give you all an update on our Covid safety protocols. Now more than ever, it’s important to have a safe place to workout, blow off some steam, keep yourself healthy and see your gym friends. Since reopening on Sept 2nd, 2019, we’ve had over 23,800 check-ins at the gym and zero confirmed cases of covid transmission. We want to sincerely thank everyone for their diligence in following our protocols, staying home when sick and alerting us in cases of positive tests so that we could inform other members you shared the gym with. A year into the pandemic we’ve learned a lot about how the virus spreads as well as how it does not. We know that coronavirus is primarily transmitted through respiration and that proper ventilation, air filtration, social distancing and mask usage are all tools we can continue to lean on as effective mitigation strategies. Our open gates, hepa filters, mask policy and large workout stations all work to keep CFSBK a safe space to train. Recently the CDC released new guidelines regarding transmission via surfaces which we’re going to use to update our cleaning protocol at the gym. Additionally, many of you have gotten vaccinated so we’re also going to be providing an additional option to expedite your entry to the gym.
Cleaning
According to new guidelines released from the CDC, transmission of the Coronavirus via surfaces is exceedingly rare and regular disinfection does little to keep people safe. The inefficacy of regular cleaning to prevent covid transmission has been widely reported with some examples being here and here. Given this, we will be updating our cleaning protocol for members as follows:
- Continue to disinfect hands when entering the gym via the hand sanitation stations provided in each facility. Hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the gym and we encourage its regular use as well as minimizing touching your face.
- Cleaning of all used equipment will no longer be required at the end of your training sessions with the exception of: Go Mats, Abmats, Benches used for training and medicine balls. Now that we’ve got this great momentum cleaning, lets keep up the hygienic practice of always cleaning items you may leave sweat on.
- Chalk will become available for communal use again and will also continue to be available for individual purchase. We’re currently restocking chalk so there may be a delay in its availability.
- Cleaning supplies will continue to be available as they have been. Members who would like to clean up any additional equipment before or after use are more than welcome to.
- Should we be informed that a member has tested positive for covid, we will spray down the equipment with disinfectant in the relevant gym.
We’re excited to provide more of your precious time at the gym to training instead of cleaning and hope this will be a relief to all.
Digital Health History Questionnaire and Vaccine Cards
We’re delighted to see how many of you have already gotten vaccinated. To expedite your entry to the gym, moving forward you will have the option of either filling out the digital health history questionnaire or showing us your vaccination record card after you have been fully vaccinated and it has been 14 days or longer since your final shot. We will also accept a New York State Excelisor Pass. For the time being we will continue to take temperature readings upon entry.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact david@crossfitsouthbrooklyn.com
Occupancy, Distancing and Facility
CFSBK will be reopening with significantly limited capacity. All training will initially be limited to 11 members per space in 597 and 608. The Annex will hold no more than 4 total occupants. Staffing has also been limited to accommodate a total volume well below 50% of each facility’s occupancy and will allow for consistent social distancing.
All visits to the gym will be by appointment only and for a specific amount of time.
Workout stations have been taped down in order to clearly indicate each member’s training area. Each station will include its own barbell, rack, bench, stretching mat and a cleaning kit. No equipment sharing will happen at the gym.
Walkway lines have been put down to help members queue up and navigate the space while maintaining 6′ of distance between each other while at the gym.
Staff onsite will oversee and facilitate proper distancing protocols during all business hours.
Smaller rooms, like the coat room in 597 and the 608 locker rooms, have been sealed off to members. The showers will no longer be available for use. Clear signage will be placed around the facilities indicating access and capacity where applicable.
Members must come to the gym alone. No kids, friends or dogs. 🙁
Programming will be such that spotting will be rarely required. When and if it must happen a coach will provide it.
Health Screen & Masks
Every visit to the gym will require:
- Pre-registration via Zen Planner
- Completion of a mandatory health screening questionnaire via QR code scan upon entry or showing us your vaccination record card after you have been fully vaccinated and it has been 14 days or longer since your final shot. We will also accept a New York State Excelisor Pass.
- Contactless temperature check
- Consistent and correct use of an appropriate mask at all times.
Individuals who screen positive for covid-19 symptoms will not be allowed access to the gym.
Acceptable face coverings include, but are not limited to, cloth-based face coverings and disposable masks appropriate for exercise that cover both the mouth and nose. Bandanas, buffs, and gaiters are not acceptable face coverings for use in gyms.
Cleaning & Disinfection
Upon entering the gym, every member will disinfect their hands via hand sanitizer dispensers or by washing their hands. Additional hand disinfectant stations will be available throughout the gym.
Each workout station will have access to cleaning solution and disposable towels to disinfect their equipment before or after usage. Note the updated guidelines for cleaning above.
5 minutes will be built into the end of each training session for members to clean up and put away their equipment. A staffer will oversee this process.
Our front desk will disinfect any frequently touched surfaces including the bathrooms every 2 hours.
The gym will be deep cleaned twice a week by a professional cleaning crew.
Contact Tracing
All members will be required to have accurate phone numbers, emails and addresses associated with their Zen Planner account.
We maintain ongoing digital records regarding everyone who attends our gym as well as every other member and employee who shared space with a particular person.
CFSBK is required to notify the state and local health department immediately upon being informed of any positive COVID-19 test results by an individual at the gym.
In the case of an individual testing positive, CFSBK must cooperate with the state and local health departments as required to trace all contacts in the gym and notify state and local health department of all individuals who entered the gym dating back 48 hours before the individual first experienced COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive, which ever is earlier. Confidentiality must be maintained as required by federal and state law and regulations.
Air Handling Systems
Weather permitting we will keep our gates and doors open to circulate fresh air into the space
9 total HEPA air filters have been installed into all our training spaces.
Ceiling fans will be set at a medium breeze and set to pull air upwards.
Out exhaust fan will be on at all times, including beyond business hours to continuously flush air out of the building. Our exhaust fan can pull the full the full volume of air out of 597 every 45 minutes.
Industrial floor fans will be set at low speed and point toward the outside to perpetually exhaust air.
Small fans will be placed near windows to continuously exhaust air out.
Covid Related FAQs
What are the guidelines for visiting the gym post travel?
If you are traveling out of state, please review the current NYS Covid Travel Advisory
What do I do when I get to the gym?
We ask that everyone arrive 5 minutes prior to their class start time and line up on the marked spots until our front desk staffer checks you in. They will view either your digital questionnaire results (available at gym via QR code), epass or vaccination card show you’ve been fully vaccinated and it has been 14 days or longer since your final shot. Come ready to train in your workout clothing so we can perform the check-in process quickly. Hand sanitizer will be available as you enter the building and a staffer will take your temperature, sign you into class and direct you which station to head to.
Where will I put my stuff?
Members can bring their belonging into their workout areas. There is some limited shelving options as well.
Do I have to wear a mask? I don’t like it/feel like I can’t breath etc.
Appropriate face coverings will be strictly required at all times while at the gym. There are no exceptions to this policy, if you feel like you can’t wear a mask, we ask that you consider our virtual classes instead.
Will there be chalk at the gym?
We will provide communal chalk buckets as well as bricks of chalk for sale in one gallon zip lock bags for those who would like not to share.
Can I leave my weightlifting shoes/belt etc at the gym?
We will no longer be allowing members to leave any training equipment at the gym.
Will there be showers and sweat towels?
The showers and 608 locker rooms will be sealed off. We will not be providing sweat towels.
Can my kid/partner/dog come with me?
Sorry, invisible friends only
Can I come early or hang out after class?
Time in the gym will be limited to the training window signed up for.
Will we be sharing equipment?
We have set up the gym such that no equipment will need to be shared during your training session.
Should I come to the gym if I have preexisting conditions or consider myself a high risk population for COVID-19?
There is an inherent risk of contracting covid in any public environment. While our safety protocols are thorough, we recommend individuals who consider themselves at high risk to not return to the gym just yet. We offer many virtual classes to keep you safe and fit from home.
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
Any member who has been at the gym that tests positive for the virus should inform us via crossfitsbk@gmail.com. We will contact the city and follow their guidance and protocol detailed above.