As a community, we’ve ALL been doing our part to keep everyone safe during the pandemic. In July 2020, we opened with safety protocols that helped prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Thank you for your part in keeping our community safe.

With guidance from the CDC and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, new policies are in effect as of July 1, 2021.

Andover/North Andover YMCA

For Swim Lessons

• Parents will no longer be required to be in the pool with their child for preschool and youth lessons. Instructors will be in the water with students.
• One adult per child will be allowed to watch swim lessons.

Pool Reservations

• Reservations will still be required for Water Fitness.
• Reservations will still be required for Open/Family Swim in the Teaching Pool and Open/Family Swim in the Family Pool, but we will be increasing capacity.
• Reservations will no longer be required for lap use in both the Lap Pool and the Family Pool.

Visit our schedules page for pool schedules. 

Aquatics Facilities

• Steam Room is open. Reservations are not required.
• Hot Tub will reopen (pending repairs). Reservations will not be required.
• Splash Pad will remain closed until further notice.
• Adults using the teaching and lap pools are required to use the adult locker rooms. Adults with no children using the boys and girls locker rooms will be asked to move.
• Parents with children will continue to be allowed to use the boys and girls locker rooms, as well as the family locker room.
• Kickboards, noodles and other pool equipment are allowed to be used.
• Staff will continue to clean throughout the day.

Lawrence YMCA

We will be following the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and CDC guidelines and recommendations around masks

• Staff will continue to wear masks in the branch.
• Childcare will continue to wear masks in the branch.
• Fully vaccinated: Masks are optional.
• Not fully vaccinated: Please wear masks to protect vulnerable populations and those who are unable to get vaccinated.

Other changes

• We will no longer be taking temperatures or requiring members to follow one-way directions in our facilities.
• Reservations for the pool will continue with all lap lanes going to two people per lane.
• Locker rooms and saunas are now open.
• Steam rooms will remain closed until further notice.
• Dividers have been placed in between cardio equipment for your continued safety.
• The Basketball Gym will remain closed until further notice.

Methuen YMCA

• Temperatures will no longer be required upon entering the building.
• Staff working in childcare and programs will continue to wear masks until further notice.

The following changes are in effect beginning June 1, 2021 at the Andover/North Andover YMCA.

• We will no longer be taking temperatures
• We have eliminated one-way directions in our facilities
• We will continue enhanced cleaning throughout the branch
• We will continue to provide hand sanitizer and cleaning solution
• Reservations are no longer required for the wellness center
• Reservations for the pools will continue with all lap lanes going to two people per lane and family swim time going to four families
• Reservations will continue to be required for the basketball gymnasium

We will be following the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and CDC guidelines and recommendations around masks

• Fully vaccinated: Mask is your choice
• Not fully vaccinated: Although we will not ask for proof of your vaccination status, we hope that you will be considerate of all populations we serve, including children and high-risk populations who are unable to get vaccinated and consider wearing a mask

Equipment

• We will be moving equipment, keeping plastic dividers
• There will be a few pieces of equipment that will stay spaced and we will slowly move them back to their original homes

Other Amenities

• The saunas are now open, please note that masks should not be worn in these and we recommend that you maintain appropriate social distancing
• The Splash Pad will remain closed
• All Locker Rooms are fully open
• Childwatch will continue on a limited schedule with reservations for children ages 1 to 8. We ask that children (over the age of 2) who have not been vaccinated please wear a mask.  As we continue to emerge from the pandemic we will work toward additional hours.

Our policies have been made with consideration of ALL the populations we serve. We will share any policy updates as soon as possible as the situation continues to evolve. If you have any further questions please reach out to Andover/North Andover YMCA Associate Executive Director Kelley O’Hara at kohara@mvymca.org.

Waivers: Members will be asked to sign a waiver before they return to the Y for the first time. Please click the link below to sign the waiver online before coming in.

Hours: In the current phase of reopening, branch hours will remain the same. Please visit our Location page for current hours.

Screening: We will no longer be screening visitors.

Masks:

• Fully vaccinated: Mask is your choice
• Not fully vaccinated: Although we will not ask for proof of your vaccination status, we hope that you will be considerate of all populations we serve, including children and high-risk populations who are unable to get vaccinated and consider wearing a mask

Reservations Required: Swimmers must reserve a time to use our pools by visiting our Andover/North Andover Pool Schedule or Lawrence Pool Schedule.  Reservations will no longer be required in the Wellness Center.

More Sanitizing Stations:  We are providing single-use disinfectant wipes for exercise machines and have added more hand sanitizing stations throughout our Y.

Protective Shields: We will have shields installed in our wellness centers and our welcome centers for your continued safety.

Spaces Redesigned for Social Distance: All open areas inside the Y have been evaluated and redesigned where necessary to help ensure social distancing between members.

We appreciate our members’ adherence to the following safety precautions during their visits:

Stay Home if You’re Sick: Members should stay home if they don’t feel well.

Keep Your Distance: Please exercise on designated equipment only and respect all signage regarding social distancing. Strive to maintain at least six feet between you and others whenever possible.

Remember to  Wipe Down & Sanitize Equipment:  Please help us reduce the risk of exposure by wiping down all equipment, weights, etc. with the provided cleaning materials.

Thank you for Staying With Us

The Merrimack Valley YMCA continues to support our members and the community through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Members who continued their memberships have helped support our efforts to meet critical needs during this pandemic including:

Please check this page for updates on current COVID-19 guidelines and procedures. You can also stay connected with us through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

We do also send email updates to our members. If you are not on our email mailing list and would like to be, please send your request to ymcainfo@mvymca.org.