Your J is OPEN!

As you may have seen on the news, COVID-19 cases are increasing at an alarming rate. While vaccination provides significant protection against the virus, those who are unvaccinated — including those who are ineligible for vaccination currently such as many of our campers and all of our Early Learning Center students — are at risk for contracting the Delta variant of the virus, which is much more contagious. 

Hampden County has now reached the threshold the CDC recommends masking in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Per CDC and our Medical Advisory Committee recommendations, we will be reinstating our masking policy, which will include masking of all individuals in all spaces of the Springfield JCC regardless of vaccination status, as of Thursday, August 5. 

The news isn’t all bad! The good news is, according to early data from the UK and India, with vigilant mask wearing and vaccinations, the Delta variant curve seems to peak quickly.  Like many other local businesses and organizations who have reinstated masking, we hope we won’t be wearing masks for much longer. Additionally, the J will be continuing all of it’s offerings, with an emphasis on member health and wellness, with no restrictions outside of continued masking at this time.  Please note that:

• We are continuing our spa services with enhanced safety protocols. We have provided plastic bags so that you can store your mask safely outside of the sauna, steam room, or hot tub. Additionally, we ask that in the pool, members utilize the bags provided, and members only remove your mask when you enter the pool.  
• Outdoor Group Exercise participants do not need to wear a mask so long as there is appropriate distancing.  

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make adjustments accordingly. Keep up to date with our policies on SpringfieldJCC.org, call us at (413) 739-4715, and at info@SpringfieldJCC.org. With your help, patience, and kindness, we can get back to regularly scheduled programming this fall!

How do I prove my vaccination status leading up to June 20?

Starting Tuesday, June 8, you may begin bringing in your original CDC vaccination card to show the Welcome Desk staff. You MUST provide the original vaccination card; we will not accept a copy or picture of the card.

• In order to go maskless on June 20, your CDC vaccination card will need to indicate full vaccination status by June 20. You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after a single-dose vaccine or two weeks after a two-dose vaccination.
• You will only need to show proof of vaccination once. We will confidentially notate your status so each time you check in our system will subtly alert staff if you are vaccinated.
• Though you may begin providing proof of vaccination on June 8, the ability to go maskless will not begin until June 20.
• Please be patient with our Welcome Desk staff as they navigate this operational transition and take extra care to confirm vaccination status.

Okay, so you know I’m vaccinated. What happens on June 20?

• Starting June 20, you will enter the JCC with a mask on — regardless of vaccination status. Because we serve many who are ineligible for vaccination, we will require masks in all common areas of the JCC, including entering and exiting the facility.
• If you are vaccinated and have provided proof of vaccination, you will be given a single-use wristband to wear during your time at the J. Wearing this single-use wristband alerts our Safety Ambassadors to your ability to go maskless!
• After you receive the wristband and begin walking to your intended destination, you will continue to wear a mask walking through hallways, when using locker rooms or hallway restrooms, in addition to when entering and exiting the lobby.

What if I’m not vaccinated? Does anything change on June 20?

• If you are unvaccinated, you must wear a mask at all times, in accordance with CDC and Massachusetts recommendations.
• Because we have such a large population of vaccination-ineligible members, it is even more important when visiting the JCC to keep your mask on at all times if unvaccinated.

What else changes on June 20?

• The indoor pool will no longer require a reservation for usage outside of camp occupancy. A maximum capacity of 45 has been set and this number will be closely monitored. The pool, which will be in much higher demand in camp, requires all of us to be respectful of our individual usage. Should the issue of maintaining maximum capacity present itself the JCC will return to a reservation system.
• Pickleball will be expanded
• Pickup basketball/open gym will resume.

What amenities are still unavailable?

• The sauna and jacuzzis in the men’s and women’s locker rooms will reopen on August 1.

What if infection rates rise?

• The JCC has been advised by our Medical Advisory Committee to closely monitor the 14-day average infection rate. If a certain threshold is reached, the JCC will adjust its policies. We will communicate these changes in advance of the change taking place.

May 28, 2021

Dear Springfield JCC Members,

Last week, we asked you to fill out a survey about your comfort-level around the updated guidance issued by Massachusetts in response to new CDC guidelines. We had an overwhelming response to our survey, which provided us with helpful insight into your excitement and reservations. Ninety-six percent of the members who filled out our survey are vaccinated and over 50% of those vaccinated said they are willing to be in a public space without a mask.

In response to your feedback, and with guidance from our Medical Advisory Committee, we are updating our COVID-19 policies and procedures, which will take effect on Sunday, June 20. We understand that each member has unique circumstances that may affect their feelings about the new guidelines. The JCC feels confident in our approach, which is in line with CDC and state guidelines, and we will continue to evaluate and assess protocols as we move through this next — and final — reopening phase together. Below you will find a summary of the new policies, which will be outlined in more detail as we near Sunday, June 20.

We know you are eager to see changes reflected in our policies sooner rather than later. Our community is made up of diverse populations and some of our programs are governed by agencies such as the Department of Public Health and Department of Early Education & Care, which have outlined more stringent requirements, coinciding with the expiration of Massachusetts’ State of Emergency. In an effort to protect our entire community — even our youngest members who are not eligible for vaccination — we will be waiting until June 20 to implement the below.

Please note that these changes do not affect the Early Learning Center, Elementary, or Camp programs. Additionally, the JCC will be carefully monitoring infection rates of the surrounding areas and make changes to the below as needed.

Vaccinated members will be allowed to take off their masks in designated areas, after showing proof of vaccination. Members will provide the JCC with proof of vaccination and will be given a wristband to wear during their time at the J, which allows staff to monitor which members can be maskless.

Unvaccinated members must remain masked at all times inside the JCC and when outdoors at times social distancing cannot be maintained.

Masks are required to be worn by all members as they enter/exit the facility, walk through hallways and common areas, using hallway restrooms, and at all times in locker rooms (unless showering) regardless of vaccination status.

Fitness equipment will all be moved back to the Cybex room, but social distancing is still required in all areas. Only equipment that is six feet apart will be eligible for use and those ineligible will be marked with signage.

Temperature checks and health screenings are no longer required. Though health screenings are no longer required after June 20, we are following the Massachusetts Travel Advisory policy and will require unvaccinated members who have traveled to wait 72 hours after their arrival back in the state before testing out of the 10-day quarantine requirement. For our families with children under the age of 10 participating in youth programs, you will receive communication directly from the director of the program regarding travel policy.

Basketball will resume and pickleball will be expanded, with capacity limits consistent with spacing requirements.

More information on the above will be sent to you over the next few weeks, including how to provide proof of vaccination. We’ll be communicating with you via email, social media and good ol’ fashioned snail mail.

We look forward to this new step in our collective journeys forward.

Thank you,

Sam Dubrinsky, CEO