PHOENIX — Gyms and pools in Arizona will be allowed to open this week, Gov. Doug Ducey announced Tuesday, the latest update to his phased-in approach to reopen the state and lift COVID-19-related restrictions on businesses and restaurants.
During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Ducey said gyms and pools can reopen on Wednesday, May 13, as long as they follow physical distancing guidelines. Two days later -- May 15 -- the state's stay-at-home order will be allowed to expire.
In addition, movie theaters will be allowed to open Saturday. Bars will remain closed for the time being, with guidance expected in the near future, according to the governor's office.
"This is a green light to continue going forward on the way out of this pandemic. This is not a green light to speed. This is a green light to proceed. And we're going to proceed with caution," Ducey said.
The Governor's Office also unveiled a list of recommended guidelines for both gyms and pools to reopen:
FOR POOLS
• Consider posting signs at pool entrances that if you feel sick, you should go home.
• Maintain physical distancing, to the extent possible.
• Provide additional space between pool chairs at community pools to allow for appropriate physical distancing.
• Provide access to soap and water for handwashing or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer at stations around the pool for use by employees and clients. Require employees to regularly wash hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Operate with reduced occupancy and capacity based on the size of the pool lounge area.
• Implement comprehensive sanitation protocols, including sanitizing pool chairs, tables, and other poolside furniture after every use.
• Implement symptom screening for employees prior to the start of their shift.
• Consider providing and requiring non-medical grade face coverings to employees to wear; those who are swimming should not wear masks; advise those wearing face coverings to not wear them in the water.
• Arrange waiting areas, service areas, and break rooms to provide for appropriate physical distancing and sanitize areas regularly between use.
• Consider not providing pool floats or toys, but if they are provided, disinfect them in between each use; disinfect pool lifts in between each use.
• Consider requiring guests to provide their own towels; if not possible, wash towels on warmest recommended setting, wear disposable gloves when handling wet towels; do not shake towels; clean and disinfect bins that hold used towels.
FOR GYMS
• Maintain physical distancing, to the extent possible.
• Provide and require employees to wear masks when possible.
• Provide access to soap and water for handwashing or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer at stations
around the gym for use by employees and clients. Require employees to regularly wash hands
for at least 20 seconds.
• Operate with reduced occupancy and capacity based on the size of the business location with
special attention to limiting areas where customers and employees can congregate.
• Wipe any pens, counters, or hard surfaces between use or customer.
• Implement comprehensive sanitation protocols, including sanitizing gym equipment before
and after every use.
• Provide disposable disinfectant wipes, cleaner, or spray so patrons can wipe down
frequently touched surfaces on gym equipment.
• Implement symptom screening for employees prior to the start of their shift.
• Consider offering cloth face coverings to employees to wear.
• Arrange waiting areas, service areas, and break rooms to provide for appropriate physical
distancing and sanitize areas regularly between use.
• Consider posting signs advising customers and employees of expectations and guidance.
• Train all employees in the above safety actions.
• Consider contactless check-ins.
• Consider requiring online bookings for fitness classes and limiting the size of the class to allow
for appropriate physical distancing.
• Arrange cardio equipment so that appropriate physical distancing can be adhered to.
• Ensure adequate equipment for patrons to minimize sharing to the extent possible, or limiting
use of equipment by one user at a time and cleaning and disinfecting between use.
• Consider limiting gym hours to allow for proper sanitation.
• Implement enhanced sanitation of locker room areas.
• Require employees and patrons to clean out lockers nightly to facilitate overnight deep cleaning
processes.
• Consider requiring guests to provide their own towels
Gov. Ducey also announced that Major League sports would be allowed to play again in Arizona anytime after May 15, but would not be allowed to have fans initially.
While the stay-at-home order will expire on Friday, Ducey said it was important that people continue to follow the CDC-recommended guidelines regarding physical distancing, staying home when sick, and continuing to practice proper hygiene techniques.
Retail stores, hair salons, nail salons, and barbershops were allowed to reopen last week as long as they have social distancing measures in place.
On Monday, restaurants were allowed to reopen their dining rooms.
Related: Arizona restaurants reopen dining rooms on May 11: What you need to know
Some Phoenix-area casinos, including Vee Quiva, Lone Butte, Wild Horse Pass, Fort McDowell, and Harrah's Ak-Chin Pavilion, all plan to reopen on Friday, May 15.
Related: Too busy? People at Tempe restaurant raises concerns about social distancing
