Update On Gym Reopenings In New York City, California, North Carolina

[Update: Sept. 1, 2020 - This story has been updated to share news that North Carolina gyms can now reopen on Sept. 4.]

Health clubs in New York City will reopen on Sept. 2, but gyms in California face a new color-coding system that keeps indoor gyms closed in most of the state, and North Carolina gyms could remain closed until Sept. 11 although some club operators there are using a medical loophole to reopen.

New York

After New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced gyms in the state could reopen on Aug. 24 at reduced capacity, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio indicated that the city’s health department was too busy inspecting schools and day cares so they could reopen on time, which might delay gym inspections and reopenings beyond Sept. 2. However, the New York City Department of Health now will do gym inspections using video calls in which the health club owner can show they have posted their safety plans, have markers noting social distancing and have face coverings plus are following other safety protocols.

Prior to these virtual inspections, gym owners will have to fill out an online form stating that they have fulfilled all state-mandated safety protocols.

"We worked with the state on the virtual as a way to get started because the timing was so tough," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a media briefing. "The virtual inspections will at least allow our inspectors to get a sense of things, make sure that things are OK, or if there is a problem, address it immediately. We'll then be doing ongoing in-person inspections as those inspectors' times free up as school starts and child care gets going."

No group indoor fitness classes are allowed yet in the state.

California

California has a new color-coded system in place for reopening. The new system, which was announced on Aug. 28, places each county in one of four colors: purple, red, orange or yellow. The coding for each county is dependent upon its rate of coronavirus cases and its positivity rate rather than the old county-by-county watch list that that used several other measures, including hospitalizations and testing capacity.

Currently, about 87 percent of the state is in the purple zone (tier one), which means widespread risk of COVID-19. In this tier, only outdoor fitness is allowed. Gyms would be able to reopen indoors at 10 percent capacity once a county enters the red zone, which is tier two. Once a county hits orange (tier three), gyms can be open at 25 percent capacity and can open indoor pools. In the yellow zone (tier four), gyms can operate at 50 percent capacity and reopen spas, saunas and steam rooms.

The California Department of Public Health will re-evaluate each county’s tier weekly, starting Sept. 8.

North Carolina

Gym owners in North Carolina will be allowed to reopen on Sept. 4 at 5 p.m., according to an Aug. 31 announcement from North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who noted that stabilizing COVID-19 number caused him to add a phase 2.5 that would be effective until Oct. 2.

This change came after he had initially stalled the state at phase two until Sept. 11.

Gyms were to reopen in phase three, but now will be allowed to reopen in phase 2.5 at 30 percent capacity. Members must wear masks while inside except when “strenuously exercising.” Gym operators must set up their spaces to allow for six-foot distancing and implement cleaning and sanitation protocols.

No gym may go beyond the 30 percent capacity rule even if patrons offer a doctor’s note claiming a medical need to exercise.

Prior to this announcement, some health club operators in the state had planned to reopen on Sept. 1 using a medical loophole that allows gyms to be used for medical purpose. Some gyms in the state have been using this loophole since June to get around the closures, according to ABC News 11 in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.

Both Planet Fitness and Crunch told the TV station that they would reopen on Sept. 1 to serve members with "a medical need to exercise," but for privacy reasons, they would not require medical documentation.  

On Aug. 27, O2 Fitness sent a statement to the media noting it had begun a phased reopening of its North Carolina clubs “in order to serve our members who have been advised by a medical professional to exercise to improve their health. We are reopening thoughtfully, responsibly and safely.”