After being closed for 4 months, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Middle is reopening on March 1 to individuals with proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. Health Middle Facility Director Stacey Reardon lays out what you want to know to make use of the power.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
Transcript:
Stacey Reardon: We will probably be open starting March 1 for adults who’ve been absolutely vaccinated. In order that implies that they have each doses of their vaccine, and that second dose has been no less than two weeks in the past. So as an example, if you wish to are available on Monday, Mar. 1, your second dose of your vaccine ought to have been on or earlier than Feb. 15.
KYUK: How are you checking to make sure that individuals have been vaccinated?
Reardon: So at examine in, all people wants to point out their CDC vaccination card and a photograph ID.
KYUK: Since solely absolutely vaccinated persons are allowed into the power, does that imply nobody below age 16?
Reardon: Right. So right now, as a result of youth aren’t in a position to be vaccinated, we’re solely open to adults age 16 and older who’ve been absolutely vaccinated.
KYUK: What about dad and mom who wish to convey their kids to the pool to swim?
Reardon: Finally we are going to get there, however we’re not there but. We’re reviewing the data each day. And as quickly as it’s decided that it’s protected for us to convey our children again within the constructing, we are going to completely try this. We’re taking a look at a few choices for that proper now, however that is simply our preliminary opening and we’ll open in phases as we now have all through this.
KYUK: What would be the masks coverage when contained in the constructing?
Reardon: Everyone must put on masks on a regular basis. And there is solely two exceptions to that: whereas swimming and whereas showering. However we’d like masks in between these actions. So as an example, if you are going to swim and sit within the sizzling tub, you are going to are available, you possibly can take your masks off whilst you take a bathe, put your masks again on to stroll out to the pool deck, take your masks off, hop within the pool, have your swim, put your masks again on, hop within the spa, and we do have to require that the masks keep on within the spa. And for anyone that is not actively swimming however, as an example, is doing water aerobics, we are going to ask that they put on their masks throughout that exercise as effectively.
KYUK: Will the variety of individuals allowed contained in the constructing be restricted?
Reardon: Sure. We’re going for about 40% of our common capability proper now.
KYUK: Will there be group lessons?
Reardon: We’re engaged on a schedule for group health lessons proper now, and we hope to have the ability to begin these, in all probability not Monday, however hopefully towards the tip of the week.
KYUK: Are workers required to be vaccinated?
Reardon: We will not require our workers to be vaccinated. We’re strongly encouraging it and most of our workers have been vaccinated, however legally we won’t require that. Which is another excuse that masking and social distancing are so vital.
KYUK: And it may’t be required as a result of the vaccines are approved below emergency use?
Reardon: Right. Yeah, we won’t require them as an employer.
KYUK: For individuals who had a membership previous to the pandemic inflicting the health heart to close down, what is the standing of these memberships?
Readon: So the day we closed the doorways, we put all the memberships on maintain. And below this present use construction we’re solely going to reactivate the memberships of the individuals who are available and wish to use the power. So if you happen to’ve been vaccinated and also you wish to use the power, once you are available we are going to reactivate your membership. In case you’re not vaccinated but, otherwise you’re not personally snug utilizing the power but, we aren’t going to reactivate your membership till you come again to us or till all of the restrictions go away.
KYUK: Has any new tools, like air filters, been put in?
Reardon: So we now have a very good air filtration system already. That is one of many perks to being a comparatively new facility, so we have not executed any new air filtration. However we now have added some new tools to our sanitation. Now we have electrostatic sprayers that we’ll be utilizing to spray down tools, which additionally does get among the droplets which are within the air as effectively. And we even have UV sanitation lights that will probably be set as much as sanitize the areas within the night. So throughout using electrostatic sprayers, we must shut down areas as a way to spray. So I do advocate individuals examine our schedule. We do have a few occasions in the course of the day that sure areas will probably be closed to make use of in order that we will get in there and clear.
KYUK: Stacey, thanks a lot.
Reardon: Thanks Anna Rose.
Extra info:
- Patrons will probably be required to maintain 6 ft from others when inside the power.
- Anybody experiencing even gentle COVID-19 signs is requested to not go to the health heart till being symptom free for 72 hours or after having obtained a unfavorable COVID-19 check.
- The health heart would require anybody who travels exterior of Bethel to not go to the power for seven days after returning to Bethel, and to obtain a unfavorable COVID-19 check after these seven days earlier than utilizing the power.
- Spa use is proscribed to 10 minutes per individual.
Discussion about this post