These guidelines are minimum requirements only and the owner/operator of any gym or fitness center is
free to provide additional precautions or increased restrictions. These guidelines are based on the best-
known public health practices at the time of publication, and the documentation upon which these
guidelines are based can and does change frequently. The Responsible Parties – as defined below – are
accountable for adhering to all local, state and federal requirements relative to gyms and fitness centers.
The Responsible Parties are also accountable for staying current with any updates to these requirements,
as well as incorporating same into any gym and fitness center activities and/or Site Safety Plan.
Background
On March 7, 2020, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued Executive Order 202, declaring a state of
emergency in response to COVID-19. Community transmission of COVID-19 has occurred throughout
New York. To minimize further spread, social distancing of at least six feet must be maintained between
individuals, where possible.
On March 20, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.6, directing all non-essential businesses
to close in-office personnel functions. Essential businesses, as defined by Empire State Development
Corporation (ESD) guidance, were not subject to the in-person restriction, but were, however, directed to
comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by
DOH, and were strongly urged to maintain social distancing measures to the extent possible.
On April 12, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.16, directing essential businesses to
provide employees, who are present in the workplace, with a face covering, at no-cost, that must be
used when in direct contact with customers or members of the public during the course of their work. On
April 15, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.17, directing that any individual who is over
age two and able to medically tolerate a face-covering must cover their nose and mouth with a mask or
cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain, or when not maintaining, social
distance. On April 16, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.18, directing that everyone
using public or private transportation carriers or other for-hire vehicles, who is over age two and able to
medically tolerate a face covering, must wear a mask or face covering over the nose and mouth during
any such trip. It also directed any operators or drivers of public or private transport to wear a face
covering or mask which covers the nose and mouth while there are any passengers in such a vehicle. On
May 29, 2020, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.34, authorizing business operators/owners
with the discretion to deny admittance to individuals who fail to comply with the face covering or mask
requirements.
On April 26, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced a phased approach to reopen industries and businesses
in New York in phases based upon a data-driven, regional analysis. On May 4, 2020, the
Governor provided that the regional analysis would consider several public health factors, including new
COVID-19 infections, as well as health care system, diagnostic testing, and contact tracing capacity. On
May 11, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced that the first phase of reopening would begin on May 15,
2020 in several regions of New York, based upon available regional metrics and indicators. On May 29,
2020, Governor Cuomo announced that the second phase of reopening would begin in several regions of
the state, and announced the use of a new early warning dashboard that aggregates the state’s
expansive data collection efforts for New Yorkers, government officials, and experts to monitor and
review how the virus is being contained to ensure a safe reopening. On June 11, 2020, Governor Cuomo
announced that the third phase of reopening would begin on June 12, 2020 in several regions of New
York. On June 24, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced that several regions of the state were on track to
enter the fourth phase of reopening starting on June 26, 2020. By July 20, 2020, all regions of New York,
including New York City, had reached the fourth phase of the State’s reopening.