Enthusiasm Surrounds Reopening of Wellness Center
Trending
WHEELING -- Employees and patrons of the Howard Long Wellness Center in Wheeling were enthusiastic about its return Monday as fitness centers, gymnasiums and recreation centers in West Virginia were among the entities allowed to resume with some restrictions.
Wheeling Hospital's Howard Long Wellness Center Director Joe Slavik said approximately 150 people came through their front doors in the first eight hours of operation Monday, despite new safety rules put in place at the center due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It is really exciting after being down for so many weeks to be able to serve the people that feel comfortable being served," Slavik explained. "A lot of folks still have apprehension, and for those folks we're allowing them to freeze their membership all the way through the end of August if they so desire, and they can come back anytime in between now and then -- when they feel comfortable as the conditions change," he added.
"People are really being very very conscientious about cleaning their equipment before and after they use it. They are washing their hands, they're wearing their masks, so it's been very, very good," he said.
All staff and members are now required to wear face coverings to the greatest extent possible, according to the new rules.
Signs are located directly inside and outside the main entrance of the facility posting the new rules in place due to COVID-19. Slavik said in addition to taking the temperature of those entering the facility there is a series of questions each person is asked to answer to make sure they don't have any of the symptoms of COVID-19 and to make sure they haven't been exposed to anyone with the virus.
A number of other safety and social distancing rules are now in place at the center, including the sanitizing of all equipment before and after each use. In addition, there are several services currently unavailable at the center to coincide with the new safety and social distancing regulations.
Wheeling resident Mike Fahey said while it is a little unusual wearing a mask, it felt "great" to have the opportunity to work out again at the center, as he exited the front entrance Monday afternoon.