To our YMCA community:

Yesterday Governor Murphy announced major changes to mask and social distancing rules that will impact our facilities beginning on Friday, May 28.

His announcement lifting the NJ statewide indoor mask mandate and 6-foot social distancing rule in public spaces and settings, including gyms, follows the CDC's recent guidance recommending that individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear a mask or social distance in any setting.

In accordance with the State's announcement and CDC guidelines, our Y association will no longer require masks for fully vaccinated members and guests starting on Friday, May 28. Children ages 2-11 will still be required to wear a mask when visiting the Y.

These changes do not apply to child care centers, after-school programs, and summer camps. 

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 

We will not require proof of vaccination status. As the Y evolves its practices in compliance with the CDC and NJ Department of Health, we encourage you to practice health and safety measures that make you most comfortable.

If you are unvaccinated, we ask that you please continue to wear a mask while inside the YMCA to protect those who remain at risk. 

If you are immunocompromised, it is recommended that you continue wearing a mask in all public settings, including the YMCA.

No matter your vaccination status, please refrain from coming to the Y when not feeling well. 

Mask wearing is permissible in the YMCA by any member at any time.

Unvaccinated Staff will still be required to wear masks for the time being and all staff will continue to undergo health and temperature checks prior to each shift.

We ask that all members demonstrate the YMCA values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility toward each other and our dedicated staff team.

The YMCA will continue to:

• Conduct temperature checks upon entry
• Apply our enhanced cleaning practices 
• Require reservations for group exercise classes and some lap swim times
• Require quarantine for staff members who test positive for COVID-19

Our licensed child care programs and summer camps will continue to follow CDC, State and local Health Department recommendations in addition to requirements from host school districts, including social distancing and mask requirements. 

 Your safety remains our top priority and we value your support as we work to provide a safe environment for all. Throughout this pandemic, we have been following both the State and CDC guidance, as well as that of local health authorities, in crafting our policies. We will continue to communicate any changes to our health and safety policies as they occur.

Sincerely,

Rose Cushing
President & CEO
YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy