Vaccines Required for New York Fitness Facilities and Other Businesses

Effective September 13, New York residents must be vaccinated to enter a variety of businesses, including indoor restaurants, gyms and theaters.

New York mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced all employees, members and customers of a variety of businesses, including all indoor restaurants, gyms and theaters are required to provide proof of vaccination to enter these facilities.

The YMCA of Greater New York began collecting proof of vaccination from their members on August 16. However, effective Monday, September 13, all members, guests and program participants in all YMCA of Greater New York branch locations will be required to be vaccinated — or to have received at least one dose — and must share proof of their vaccination status at the check-in desk to enter.

According to a press release, members can demonstrate proof of vaccination in one of three ways:

1. Show your paper vaccination card to the check-in desk.
2. Upload your vaccination card to the NYC COVID Safe App and show that to the check-in desk. The NYC COVID Safe App is available for download for Android and iOS.
3. Secure the Excelsior Pass and show your pass to the check-in desk.

Anyone who is not yet vaccinated — including children between the ages of two and 11 who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated — will be required to wear a mask.

The New York Ys are strongly encouraging all members, guests and employees to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. However, masks are not required during outdoor classes. Masks will be required in common areas but once members get to their designated workout position, they may remove their mask for class.

The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan will also be following the state mandates.

A statement from their website read, “Last week, Mayor de Blasio announced new vaccination requirements for indoor fitness, dining and entertainment facilities in New York City in response to rising COVID-19 rates and the Delta variant. A phase-in period commences this Monday, August 16, and full enforcement begins September 13.

We are confirming the JCC’s compliance with this mandate and timeline, and to update you on changes regarding building entry location, protocol and other health club news.

We also want to share, in light of the mayor’s new guidelines, and consistent with our values, we will be requiring JCC staff across all areas of the building be vaccinated. While we recognize the NYC guidelines relate specifically to fitness centers, entertainment and restaurants, we have decided to make this a staff-wide policy and are in the process of planning an institutional policy as we believe these guidelines are the best way to ensure wellness in our community.”

After September 13, members who do not show proof of vaccination will not be permitted entry to the JCC.