Below are some of the common questions about how COVID-19 will impact your Y membership, facilities and programs this year. This information will be regularly updated, so make sure to check back periodically.
NOTE: You must use your HOME BRANCH ONLY. Guests & Visiting other Y locations is not permitted at this time.
last updated: July 4, 2020
When is everything at the Y going to reopen?
Given the Governor’s announcement moving our area from the YELLOW to GREEN phase, the Y will be opening back up on Monday, June 29th! Please read all the information and follow our updates for more information on new policies, procedures, and facility hours informed by CDC guidelines. We thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation as we implement these changes.
What we do know that our branches will be following a Three-Step Approach that will gradually return us to full operations. Each STEP will last long enough for us to test our systems and make any adjustments needed before moving to the next STEP Expect each STEP to take between 1-4 weeks.
We are going to take a slow and deliberate approach to reopening. There will be many changes to the Y that you may not agree with and may be an inconvenience. All of these efforts are being made to keep everyone safe so we can all get back to healthier living. For the good of all, it is vital that everyone cooperate. Compliance will be non-negotiable.
NOTE: You must use your HOME BRANCH ONLY. Guests & Visiting other Y locations is not permitted at this time.
You can review our Three-Step Approach here.
When will the swimming pools be open?
Our swimming pools will reopen on Monday June 29th. Please keep in mind the following information.
- We ask the members arrive and leave the Y in their bathing suits.
- All branches are physically different, so please check with your HOME BRANCH about how to enter and exit the pool area.
- No reservations are required for pool use. However, we will adhere to a maximum capacity at all locations. Aquatics staff will enforce these limits, so you may experience a wait time for pool use.
- At the Lansdowne & Ridley branches:
- During Lap Swim times, there will be 4 lap lanes with a maximum of 2 people per lane, with two open exercise lanes.
- During Recreational Swim times, there will be a maximum of 25 people in the pool at any given time.
- At the Springfield branch:
- In the Lap Pool, there will be 6 lap lanes and a maximum of 2 people per lane.
- The Activity Pool will be available for family swim and open exercise. a maximum of 10 people may be in the pool at any one time.
- Please check with your HOME BRANCH about locker room use & availability. Each branch locker room schedule is different. At all branches, no showers will be available.
- Due to health and safety issues, we will no longer provide towels at the Springfield branch.
Will you be changing and reducing the hours the Y is open?
Yes, we will be changing and limiting the hours of operation to allow for more deep cleaning/sanitation time.
In STEPS 1 & STEP 2, the Y will be open
Monday - Friday 5am - 7pm
Saturday 6am - 3pm
Sunday CLOSED
Will the locker rooms be available for use?
Please check with your HOME BRANCH about locker room use & availability. Each branch locker room schedule is different. At all branches, no showers will be available.
We have taken several steps to minimize your contact with frequently touched surfaces or items that cannot be sanitized and to improve social distancing by:
- Removing all lobby & locker room furniture.
- Closing the steam, sauna, jacuzzi & cold plunge tubs (Springfield), the sauna (Lansdowne).
Due to health and safety issues, we will no longer provide towels at the Springfield branch.
What is the Y doing to help protect my health & safety?
Establishing and maintaining a safe and healthy membership experience remains our top priority. 
In all of our planning and preparations we are following all CDC, local, state, and government guidance. We will follow guidelines, mandates and recommendations from the local health agencies & CDC. We are exploring all challenges, options, protocols, and health practices that factor into our ability to deliver programs safely.
Because this situation is constantly changing, we are continually working and updating our procedures. Some of the new procedures include:
- Everyone entering the Y will be screened prior to the start of each day to ensure they are healthy. Anyone exhibiting a fever of 100.4 or higher or other symptoms of illness will not be permitted to enter the Y.
- Guest & Nationwide Y Membership privileges have been temporarily suspend.
- We will encourage more frequent hand-washing.
- We will require that members clean the equipment both before and after each use.
- We are carving out additional cleaning breaks during the day to allow for extra cleaning in our branches.
- We have re-arranged equipment and taken some equipment out of service to adhere to the physical distancing recommendations and expect all members to maintain a six-foot distance from other members while using the Y.
- We have taken several steps to minimize your contact with frequently touched surfaces or items that cannot be sanitized:
- We have removed all lobby & locker room furniture.
- We have removed some small fitness equipment.
- We have removed magazines and literature throughout the building.
- Our Lost & Found will be emptied each night.
- Water fountains will be bottle-fill only.
- All interior doors that can be propped open will remain open.
While the Y will certainly look different, our team is working hard to create a safe experience within the new parameters so that everyone can still safely enjoy the Y.
Your safety is our number one priority and we will continue to adjust to the guidelines and protocols recommended by the CDC and our local health agencies.
We will be keeping you updated on key decisions regarding changes to our programming and safety protocols. We ask for your patience as processes change accordingly.
Will Childwatch, Babysitting or the KidZone be available?
During STEP 1 & STEP 2 Childwatch, Babysitting or the KidZone will not be reopened.
Druing STEP 3, we will gradually reopen these programs with limited enrollment and by reservations only.
Guests & Nationwide Y Membership - are they still allowed?
You must use your home branch ONLY.
Guests, visitors or YMCA Nationwide Membership privileges have been temporarily suspended at this time.
What will the indoor spaces look like?
We have re-arranged equipment and taken some equipment out of service to adhere to the physical distancing recommendations and expect all members to maintain a six-foot distance from other members while using the Y.
We have taken several steps to minimize your contact with frequently touched surfaces or items that cannot be sanitized:
- We removed all lobby & locker room furniture.
- We removed some small fitness equipment.
- We removed magazines and literature throughout the building.
- Our Lost & Found will be emptied each night.
- Water fountains will be bottle-fill only.
- All interior doors that can be propped open will remain open.
- Program areas will be further apart, and the number participating in these areas will be reduced.
What will social distancing look like at the Y?
Social distancing requires a combination of several protocols.
- We re-arranged equipment and taken some equipment out of service to adhere to the physical distancing recommendations and expect all members to maintain a six-foot distance from other members while using the Y.
- We have taken several steps to minimize your contact with frequently touched surfaces or items that cannot be sanitized:
- We removed all lobby & locker room furniture.
- We removed some small fitness equipment.
- We removed magazines and literature throughout the building.
- Our Lost & Found will be emptied each night.
- Water fountains will be bottle-fill only.
- All interior doors that can be propped open will remain open.
- Staff will maintain the 6 ft. recommended distancing from each other, whenever possible
- You will see staff wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) appropriate to their jobs to protect themselves and you. Members are required to follow the PA Guidelines for use of PPE important to your own safety.
How will I enter and exit the Y?
We will only be using one entrance and one exit for all facilities. If you use a membership card or the app to check in, you will check in as usual at the bar code scanner. All members will be required to have their membership cards for contact-free self-scanning.
- Lansdowne branch – enter/exit through the parking lot doors. The Garrett Road entrance will be closed.
- Ridley branch – enter/exit through the front doors. The rear entrance will be closed.
- Springfield branch – enter/exit through the parking garage doors. The main hospital doors will be restricted to hospital visitations only.
What will the daily health screening look like?
Everyone entering the Y will be temperature checked upon arrival. Should the temperature reading be above 100.4 or if you are showing any signs of illness, you will not be permitted to enter the Y. For everyone's health and safety, we cannot make exceptions, and we thank you in advance for not asking our staff to do so.
Everyone will be monitored throughout the day for signs of illness. Should there be a concern, the individual will be asked to leave the Y immediately.
Am I required to wear a mask?
At this time you will be required to wear a mask when entering the Y and moving through common areas in the Y (like hallways).
When you are working out, it is recommended that you wear a mask but not required.
YMCA Staff are currently required to wear masks at all times.
How will staff be trained and monitored?
All staff will be trained on social distancing, stable groups, cleaning and disinfecting (according to CDC guidelines), virus spread reduction practices as well as required hand-washing. Each branch will have a designated staff member responsible for making sure that all program participants as well as staff, adhere to the requirements.
Will you encourage good hygiene practices?
Absolutely!
We strongly encourage everyone to review and emphasize the importance of good hygiene everyday.
I have health issues, is coming to the Y a good idea?
We cannot offer an opinion on whether or not participating in YMCA programs is a good fit for you. That decision is up to you. We can assure you that, following the guidelines we have been provided, we are doing everything we can to provide the safest environment possible for everyone at the Y.
What about Silver Sneakers?
As of today we now offer Silver Sneakers, Silver and Fit, Healthpartners, Active and Fit and Prime at all locations. Keystone First is coming soon.
You can upgrade your individual insurance membership to a family membership if you wish. Please ask us how.
What about the new equipment that was coming to the Springfield Y?
We are definitely moving forward with our replacement/upgrade plan. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 closure forced the delay of our order. We are currently working with our vendors to restart the process. Plans for this upgrade will be posted in the branch.
Durning the closure, the A/C unit in the Fitness Center was replaced.
What happens if a member/staff tests positive for COVID-19?
If the YMCA identifies a member/staff who tested positive for COVID-19 or we learn they are positive, we will take the following steps:
- The YMCA will immediately notify local health officials.
- The YMCA will inform those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms and to follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
- If a person does not have symptoms, CDC guidance for home isolation should be followed.
- This initial short-term time allows the local health officials to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation impacting the Y and for custodial staff to clean and disinfect the affected facilities.
- The Y will work with the local health officials to determine appropriate next steps, including whether an extended dismissal duration is needed to stop or slow the further spread of COVID-19.
- The affected areas will be closed for 24 hours, then thoroughly disinfected before using it again.
In the case of a confirmed case, the CDC recommends the member/staff not return until:
- Authorization by a medical professional OR at least 72 hours have passed since recovery, which is defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
- AND at least 14 days have passed since symptoms first appeared OR receipt of a negative COVID-19 test.
Will hand sanitizer be available and provided?
Additional hand sanitizer and gym wipes will be provided for you to use. We would also encourage you to carry you own personal hand sanitizer.
You are invited to donate hand sanitizer to the Y.
Will you continue to offer virtual classes?
Yes we will! We will continue to offer virtual classes and even start some in-person outdoor classes (weather permitting).
Will there still be towels available at the Springfield branch?
No. Due to health and safety issues, we will no longer provide towels at the Springfield branch.
Will my membership fees be adjusted/reduced because you will not be able to offer everything?
Yes, we will be adjusting membership fees to reflect the services provided.
During STEP 1, you will be charged 75% of your normal membership fee.
During STEP 2, you will be charged 85% of your normal membership fee.
When we move to STEP 3, your normal membership fee will be charged.