Y FAMILY CENTERS

Use of Masks/Face Coverings

  • On November 18, 2020, we adjusted our mask policy to require mask usage at the Y, without exceptions, unless you are in the swimming pool or the shower. We understand that this is somewhat stricter than our original policy, which was consistent with state requirements, but we believe that it is the right thing to do to protect the health of our members and associates. While in our family center Ys and Y swim centers, all individuals must wear a mask fully covering their nose and mouth at all times, including during cardio exercise.
  • All Y associates are required to wear face coverings at all times in Y facilities
  • Children ages two and over are required to wear face coverings while in Y family centers.
  • For outdoor activities such as outdoor group exercise, masks are not required as long as adequate social distancing is possible.
  • Acceptable face coverings include masks, scarves, bandanas, and gaiters that fully cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of your face without gaps. We do not allow masks with exhalation valves or vents.
  • Masks are not required in the pool, though we require that you wear your mask on the pool deck until you enter the pool, and upon exiting. You may also remove your mask to shower on the pool deck or in the locker room, but otherwise you must wear it in the locker room.
  • Masks may be temporarily lowered or raised to hydrate.
  • For Frequently Asked Questions concerning mask use, CLICK HERE.
  • To read our letter from the CEO concerning mask use, CLICK HERE.

Social Distancing

  • Social distancing is required in all Y facilities and programs at all times.
  • To facilitate this, exercise equipment has been removed or disabled so that proper spacing may be maintained. Plexiglas has been installed in key areas, and floor markers and signage have been installed throughout Y facilities.
  • Stay & Play and other groups of children are limited to no more than 15 per group including the teacher/Y associate.

Temperature Checks

  • Touchless temperature checks as well as brief symptom check questions are required for anyone entering our facilities. All children receive temperature checks before being admitted to Y Stay & Play. 

Sanitizing and Cleaning Procedures, and Disinfectant Agents Used

  • Our enhanced round the clock cleaning procedures help assure all surfaces and high touch points are kept clean and free of bacterial build-up. This includes continuous cleaning of high touch points and equipment every 45 minutes using PH7Q, a Neutral Disinfectant, which is phosphate‐free and designed to provide effective cleaning, deodorizing and disinfection to control cross contamination on treated surfaces. PH7Q kills bacteria and viruses including Human Coronavirus. We use this product for cleaning all surfaces throughout the day and we require our cleaning vendors to use it in our overnight contracted cleaning.
  • Disinfectant wipes are used throughout Y Family Centers and are effective to kill bacteria, germs and viruses. 
  • Following CDC and the state of Maryland guidelines for the disinfection of  surfaces in early childhood settings, the Y uses bleach in Stay & Play and Y Preschools to clean and disinfect toys and surfaces the children come in contact with.
  • Hand sanitizer containing 70% alcohol is available at all Y locations.
  • Children in Y programs are helped to wash their hands every 45 minutes and between activities. Y associates supervising children follow the same procedures. 
  • We have purchased Victory Fogger Electromagnetic Antimicrobial Sprayers. These are the sprayers which are currently being used by much of the airline industry to kill bacteria and viruses. The chemical used is called 256. As the chemical is discharged from the sprayer it is electromagnetically charged and adheres to surfaces and penetrates hard-to-get-to areas including cracks and crevices.  Both backpack and handheld models are part of the overnight cleaning procedure for all Y facilities.

Ventilation: Air Conditioning and Heating Units

  • We provide regular preventive maintenance to our units including routine filter changes. Our air filters come with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERV) rating of 8. MERV ratings define the effectiveness of the filter against airborne particles which are measured in Microns. Each Micron is one millionth of a meter in size. We use MERV 8 filters in all Y cooling and heating units, the highest filter recommended for our heating and cooling systems which also enable unobstructed air flow. MERV filters rated 8 catch particles that are 3 to10 microns and are highly effective against bacteria, mold spores and dust mites.

Swimming Pools

  • We use sodium hypochlorite liquid chlorine bleach in all Y in Central Maryland pools. Sodium hypochlorite is a CDC approved pool disinfectant which is applied in swimming pools for water disinfection and oxidation. Microorganisms cannot build up any resistance to it. Chlorine levels are checked every two hours and adjusted as need be.


Y CAMP, OUTDOOR GROUP EXERCISE and ALL OUTDOOR Y SPACES

  • All Y associates social distance and wear masks at all times.
  • For outdoor activities such as outdoor group exercise, masks are not required as long as adequate social distancing is possible.
  • Campers age 9 and older are encouraged to wear masks. Campers of all ages must have face masks with them and available every day for instances when social distancing may become difficult or in close spaces such as to use the indoor restroom, receive medications, receive first aid, and/or for brief indoor times in case of emergencies such as inclement weather. 
  • Social distancing is required and capacity limits are followed.
  • We use bleach as our standard disinfecting agent in outdoor program spaces for all high touch areas and equipment.
  • Health procedures for campers include daily temperature checks, hand-washing in between each activity and staggered pick up and drop off

 

Please Note: Y associates will respectfully insist that all health and safety practices are followed at all times. The Y will also adjust policies based on local and state environmental indicators and metrics, as well as local jurisdiction, state mandates, and CDC and other public health guidelines. Thank you!