YMCA Member,
As you are aware, since reopening our facilities in June 2020, we have followed both CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines related to COVID-19 safety protocols. We thank you for your support through this time.
Yesterday, the CDC announced that individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to waer a mask while indoors. Shortly after the CDC announcement, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that, effective immediately, anyone fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is not subject to the state Mask Order, which remains in effect until 70 percent of Pennsylvanians are vaccinated. You can read the full announcement HERE.
In accordance with this announcement, beginning Friday, May 14th, members and program participants of the Harrisburg Area YMCA who are fully vaccinated may utilize our facilities and participate in programs without a face mask.
Fully vaccinated is defined as:
- 2 weeks after the 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
If you do not meet the above requirements, you are NOT considered fully vaccinated and therefore are required to continue to wear a mask when inside a YMCA facility and when outdoors on our grounds when social distancing cannot be maintained. We are counting on the integrity of our Y community to follow this guidance based on their vaccination status. Children ages 3+ are required to wear a mask unless vaccinated. Given the timing of the Pfizer vaccination approvals for youth, the earliest a youth could be unmasked in our facilities is June 17, 2021.
Harrisburg Area YMCA staff must continue to wear a mask indoors pending updated information from our various regulating agencies. Also, in compliance with the most recent mandate from the Department of Human Services, masks are still required in all licensed childcare areas.
In honoring our Y core values and respecting your fellow Y members, please remember individuals may continue to wear a mask because they are mid-vaccine or as an extra precaution. If you have any questions regarding the mask order while accessing the facility, please speak to any of our YMCA staff.
We will continue to complete temperature checks upon entry into the facility, maintain social distance around our equipment and group exercise spaces, use our reservation system, and apply our enhanced cleaning practices. These additional safety precautions will remain in effect and will be reevaluated in the upcoming weeks in accordance with the lifting of all mitigation orders announced for May 31, 2021.
The safety of our members, participants and staff remain our top priority. We will continue to uphold COVID-19 safety guidelines from the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health. We appreciate your care and respect for your fellow Y members as we continue to work together to maintain the safest environment possible.