ATLANTA, GA-Exercise is important for physical and mental health and should be continued for healthy living, especially during the coronavirus crisis. However, you should take precautions to make you less likely to get or spread COVID-19. Keep at least 6 feet away from other people; select a facility that requires all staff and attendees to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose at all times; limit high-intensity activities to the outdoors; and wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, before and after using machines.
Exercising and physical activity are important for physical and mental health and should be continued for healthy living, especially during the coronavirus crisis. However, it is necessary to take precautions to reduce exposure to and transmission of COVID-19. The main way by which people are infected with COVID-19 is through exposure to respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus. COVID-19 has been shown to spread at gyms, fitness classes, and studios.
Considerations for gyms, fitness centers, and studios
There are multiple factors that increase the risk of COVID-19 spread in gyms, fitness centers, and studios (dance, karate, spin, etc.). There are ways to reduce this risk:
Proximity: maintain at least 6 feet of separation (about 2 arm lengths) and avoid close contact with other people.
Mask use: select a facility that has requires all staff and attendees to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose at all times.
Exertion level: limit high-intensity activities to the outdoors.
Ventilation: look for gyms, fitness centers, or studios that have high ceilings and use ventilation practices such as opening doors and windows and use portable air cleaners that have HEPA filters
Frequently touched surfaces: wipe down frequently touched surfaces, such as machines and equipment, with disinfecting wipes before and after use
Clean hands: wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol before and after using machines
Number of people: go during off-peak times to avoid crowding.
Duration: if choosing to stay indoors, keep your workouts as brief as possible to avoid prolonged exposure.
Do not visit a gym, fitness center, or studio if:
- The facility does not have any mitigation measures in place, such as requirements for masks and physical distancing.
- You have tested positive for COVID-19.
- You are showing any symptoms of COVID-19.
- Any of the people in your household or close contacts have tested positive for COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
- You have been recently tested for COVID-19 and are waiting on test results
Prepare before you go
- Use options for online reservations and check-in systems when available.
- Go to the gym, fitness center, or studio during low-usage times.
- Be aware of any extra prevention practices being implemented by the facility, such as new plexiglass barriers, mask policies, and closing of shared locker room space.
- Be prepared to not use the locker room in order to reduce the risk of being in close proximity to others in a small space. Arrive in work-out clothes and shower at home to avoid using shared locker room and bathrooms.
Going to a nail salon
Prepare for your appointment
- Book services in advance to remove the need for waiting in a lobby with other people. If you must wait, maintain social distance.
- Before you go, call and ask if all staff are wearing masks at work and if there are physical barriers to minimize risk of transmission (e.g., plexiglass barriers).
- If offered by the salon, wait in your car or outside until you can be contacted by mobile phone when it is your turn to be seen for an appointment.
Visiting a library
Use online reservation and advance-order checkout systems, if possible.
Choose digital over print materials, if possible.
Request a curbside pick-up if available and use masks during pick-up exchanges.
Clean hands when handling shared items or electronics
Wash your hands before and after exchanges.
Clean and disinfect electronics (laptops) and library materials in plastic containers (CDs, audio books) during returns and/or exchanges.
If allowed and available inside the library, use computer stations one person at a time. Ensure they are cleaned before use and use a disinfectant wipe on the mouse and keyboard.
Media Release/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention