Dear MJCC Members:
I apologize for the length of this email but ask that you please read it in its entirety as it contains important information.
As most of you have probably seen on the news, the Shelby County Health Department has issued a new Face Mask Directive in conjunction with a new Health Order and Directive. As we have been from the start of the pandemic, the MJCC is committed to doing all that it can to ensure the health and safety of members, staff and program participants. I sincerely thank each of you for your patience and understanding with the host of new policies, procedures and program modifications that we have made over the past 8 months in accordance with Health Department mandates and the recommendations of experts in the field of infectious disease. Thank you also for your continued support of and loyalty to the MJCC. In light of the new Shelby County Mask Mandate and Health Order and Directives, the following changes will be going into place effective tomorrow, Monday, November 23 at 5:30 am:
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Masks must be worn at all times while in the MJCC other than when swimming. If you are here to swim you must keep your mask on until you are ready to enter the pool and it must be put back on as you are exiting the pool.
- This means that masks are now required at all times while you are working out in the fitness center, while attending any group fitness classes, while playing racquetball and while utilizing the gymnasium. Please note that in the interest of public health we have a zero tolerance policy for anyone not adhering to Shelby County’s new mask mandate while at the MJCC and anyone disregarding the mandate will be immediately asked to leave.
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Because many of our group fitness classes are high intensity thus making it a potential health risk for some to wear a mask while participating, we are temporarily adjusting our group fitness schedule so that more of our classes will have a virtual option. A few classes may have modifications to format and/or virtual only options. The updated fitness schedule can be found HERE.
- Members can still enjoy use of the outdoor tennis courts, pickle ball courts and field space without wearing masks while playing as long as they maintain a minimum of a 6 foot distance from anyone in the vicinity who is not from the same household. If a minimum of 6 foot distancing from people outside of your household is not feasible, then we ask you to please wear a mask then as well. Please note that you must have a mask on at all times unless you are actually engaged in play on the tennis courts, pickleball courts or the fields. Please put your mask on before you exit your vehicle, you may remove your mask when play begins and you must put it back on when you are finished before exiting the courts or fields.
In addition, due to the current COVID-19 trends in the Memphis area and nationally, we are making a few other changes as well:
- We have made the difficult decision to not offer any winter camps for school aged children this year. We are looking forward to spring camps and are already in the planning stages.
- The Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service Shalom Shuttle service will continue to operate, but will temporarily be accepting essential rides only. Our FJFS professionals will work closely with all clients to continue to make sure that all needs are met.
A few other important reminders:
- Please put your mask on before you exit your vehicle and keep it on until you return back to your vehicle after your time here at the MJCC.
- If you are not feeling well please err on the side of caution and do not come to the J or participate in any programs here until you are once again feeling well.
- If you or anyone in your households tests positive for COVID-19 and you have been at the MJCC within 14 days of that positive test result please notify us immediately.
- Remember that we now have thermal scanners installed at the entrance that are taking your temperature as you enter the building. Should your temperature be over 99.5 degrees you will be denied entry to the MJCC.
- If you travel we do require that you wait 14 days from the date of your return to Memphis to come back to the MJCC.
- The MJCC is currently not issuing any guest passes.
- If you have out of town guests/family members coming to stay with you we ask that you please refrain from utilizing any indoor facilities or programs at the MJCC for a period of 14 days after their arrival. A negative COVID test prior to or upon their visit does not negate the 14 day policy.
- We always enjoy welcoming our college students home for Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks and seeing them back here at the J. That being said, this year we will require that any college students returning to Memphis must wait 14 days from their return to Memphis in order to participate here and must be part of your family membership to utilize the facilities.
Though we do not have any specific timeline from the Health Department in terms of how long the new Mask Mandate and Health Order and Directive will be in place, we do know that it will be a minimum of 28 days. Thus, we are anticipating that most of the changes outlined in this email will stay in effect until at least January 2. Should there be any changes before then we will notify you immediately.
As always, the Wendy and Avron B. Fogelman Jewish Family Service is here for you. The pandemic has placed strains and challenges on so many of us, and our seasoned social work staff is here to assist you. All calls to FJFS are confidential and client confidentiality is always maintained. If you or anyone whom you know has any social service needs please contact FJFS at (901) 767-8511.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, our goal has been to keep the MJCC operating and to be able to provide you with the services that are so important in your daily lives in a responsible way that maintains public health and minimizes the spread of COVID-19. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation, and for your adherence to the new safety measures that have been put into place. Thank you also for your continued support of and commitment to the MJCC. We appreciate and value you!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Mike McGee, our Member Services Director, at (901) 259-9215 or at mmcgee@jccmemphis.org.
Please stay safe and healthy!
B’Shalom,
