Otsego County Board Announces Rules for Gym Openings

Otsego County Board Chair David Bliss announced today that the Health Department is seeking information from all county gyms and fitness-related businesses in order to assist in their reopening under the guidelines set forth by New York State.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday that gyms and fitness centers could begin reopening on Monday, August 24, 2020, if they meet the criteria mandated by the state, which includes a detailed safety plan and inspection by the county health department.

Chairman Bliss asks all gyms and fitness-related businesses to reach out to be inspected. “Normally we don’t permit these establishments so the Health Department may not be aware of every facility looking to reopen. We need them to contact us so we can work with them and get them open as soon as possible and make sure they are in compliance and help any way that we can,” said Bliss.

The Otsego County Health Department, as well as the Codes Department, are in the process of amassing a database of all gyms and fitness centers in the area, including those in hotels and education facilities (colleges and high schools), and gathering information from business owners so that it can verify their safety plans are in place and inspect the premises.

Prior to reopening, gym and fitness business owners must:

· Read and affirm the detailed New York guidelines at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Gyms_and_Fitness_Centers_Detailed_Guidelines.pdf

· Have a business plan in place. A template provided by New York State is available here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYS_BusinessReopeningSafetyPlanTemplate.pdf

· Email the Otsego County Health Department at <bondh@otsegocounty.com> and send the following information:

o Business name

o Specific business type

o Business location address

o Owner’s name (and appropriate contact person), phone number and email address

Once all of those steps are completed, the County Health Department and /or Codes Department will perform an inspection as soon as possible.