By Jen Malti
Staff Writer
The FDU Fitness Center will not be operating during the Fall 2020 semester despite state gyms being given the green light.
According to Gov. Phil Murphy’s decision, gyms in New Jersey are now allowed to open at a 25% capacity limit as of Sept. 1. With this new declaration, what does this mean for the FDU Fitness Center — commonly known to students as “the Fit”?
“As of now, the fitness center remains closed to all except for those undergoing surveillance testing,” said Steve Nelson, metropolitan campus executive, via email to The Equinox.
All resident students are expected to complete surveillance testing prior to their return in one of three ways: show proof of a negative test, self-quarantine or quarantine on campus, stated in the campus reoccupancy plan.
“We are discussing the possibility of opening it for student use with certain CDC and state mandated restrictions in place. We will update the students as more information becomes available,” Nelson said.
The Fit is a place for Metropolitan students to convene with friends, attend events and get their workout in.
“As a regular at the Fit, there was always something going on,” said junior sports administration major Anthony DiBlasio via text message to The Equinox.
“Having school back up and running without it is kind of sad. As we progress throughout the school year, I think I can speak on everyone’s behalf that it should open up again with the same restrictions as any other gym. Now, I don’t know where to go.”
According to the New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub, the protocols for gyms go as follows:
- The occupancy is limited to 25% of the stated maximum capacity excluding staff.
- Indoor group activities may occur as well with one individual per 200 square feet and all individuals must be six feet apart.
- All customers and staff must wear face coverings at all times.
- There will be a temperature screening and questionnaire of staff and customers upon entry to the facility.
- One-on-one personal training can occur as long as there is a distance of six feet maintained.
- Locker rooms are for hand washing and restrooms only.
- Doors and windows must remain open when possible to have ventilation.
- Shared saunas and steam rooms will not be permitted.
For now, students will have to rely on local gyms to get their daily workouts in until the fitness center reopens again.
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