Dear YMCA Members,  

Throughout the pandemic, your Y has placed the highest priority on the health and safety of all members and staff. Know the Y will continue to assess all information and continue to respond appropriately moving forward. To that point, in view of the CDC’s ongoing assessment regarding the decreasing rate of COVID transmission across the region and as the percentage of vaccinated individuals continues to increase; combined with the progress reported in vaccines available to our children, it is appropriate that the following COVID protocols will be in place effective November 8th and will supersede the memo sent out on Thursday, October 28th. 

As of November 8th:

During periods of low, moderate and substantial transmission, the following policy related to mask-wearing will apply at all YMCAs unless recommended otherwise by the CDC, or local governments: all members will be asked to wear a mask while indoors other than showering or using the pool, saunas, steam rooms or whirlpools.  At YMCA’s in Maryland and Virginia, members that elect to share their proof of vaccination (one time, if this has not already been done) and wear the YMCA-provided wristband may choose to remove their masks while on YMCA property (please be advised that the Y does not keep a copy of your vaccination cards. A “yes” or “no” is recorded for your convenience for future visits). Non-vaccinated members will be asked to wear a mask at all times indoors other than when showering, using the pools or aquatics facilities.  At the YMCA location in the District of Columbia, mask-wearing is required by the local government at this time.

During a period of high transmission (more than 100 cases per 100,000 people in the past 7 days) the Y will abide by all CDC and local government mandates and the Y reserves the right to modify Y COVID protocol/policies to include requiring proof of vaccine or negative COVID test result to access the Y. For your information, currently, the CDC’s Assessment of the County-Level Community Transmission is below the high transmission level across our regions, so sharing proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result is not required to access the Y at this time. 

Children ages two through seventeen will be required to wear masks while visiting the Y at all times unless in the pool. The Y will follow the CDC, local school systems, government mandates regarding children and looks forward to allowing children to follow our policy as more children in our region become vaccinated.

Child Watch, Sauna, Steam, Whirlpools, Towel Service: a reminder that most of our services have been restored. Please check with your local Y for times and availability.

Staff will be required to wear masks and be fully vaccinated or follow the Y’s testing policy at this time. 

The policy and protocol for each Y location is available online at www.ymcadc.org/stayinformed and posted at the entrance of each branch. If you have any questions, please reply to this email. The Y thanks you for your support and understanding during this time as we continue to navigate the current environment and serve our communities. 

In Good Health,

YMCA of Metropolitan Washington