AFS Reopening Procedures
AFS COVID Advisory Panel Discussion
COVID Client Safety Protocols*
*Note: as of 5/15/2021 masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated clients (14 days after their second vaccination)
Browse the headings below to see how AFS’ procedures are shifting to adapt to Covid-19.
Face Mask Requirement & Vaccine Status
AFS does not require fully vaccinated clients (14 days after second vaccination) to wear masks when exercising and in the facility. Clients who are not full vaccinated are required to wear masks at all times.
Furthermore, as the foundation of our relationship with all of our clients has always been based on trust, transparency, and respect, we will not require clients to show proof of vaccination to workout without a mask. We fully trust each client to care for our community, keeping our entire Fit Fam safe. Finally, we respect our clients privacy and do not wish to peer into any part of their medical record, all that we ask in return is that clients are fully transparent with us in terms of their vaccination status.
Disinfecting & Sanitation Procedures
Frequently disinfecting equipment and high touch surfaces will be a significant component of AFS’ risk exposure mitigation strategies. AFS will utilize the hospital grade, EPA approved disinfect cleaner quaternary ammonium chloride (commercially known has Virex). This disinfectant has been approved by the CDC to kill COVID-19 and a number of other infectious diseases. All equipment will be disinfected before and after client use and strict protocols will be put in place to disinfect high touch surfaces several times a day. We will be performing deep facility cleans twice each day, between 1-3pm and then nightly after closing. AFS will use electrostatic spraying (aka “fogging”) to ensure all surfaces and equipment are disinfected thoroughly.
Ventilation & Air Quality Control
According to the CDC and the WHO the most critical and effective COVID-19 mitigation strategies that can be employed involve addressing air quality and ventilation. As such, AFS is taking measures to maximize air quality and ventilation. Per Medical Fitness Association guidelines we will ensure air exchange rates are a minimum of 10 per hour. Additionally, air in our HVAC system is not recycled and we are filtering out internal air, to bring in fresh, external air, to improve ventilation and air quality. Merv 13 filters will be installed in HVAC units and electrostatic spraying (aka “fogging”) will be performed in duct work during all scheduled maintenance.
Additionally, we will be installing a hospital-grade upward facing UV-C Germicidal lighting systems in all exercise rooms to disinfect the air (anticipated installation mid-September). UV-C lighting has been proven effective to kill coronavirus particles on contact, rendering the virus inactive.
Sanitizer Stations & Personal Disinfection
Each client will receive their own microfiber towel upon entering the facility; clients will be able to use this towel along with spray bottles of Virex on the workout to disinfect equipment. Additionally, a number of hand sanitizer stations have been installed in each exercise room to ensure utilization. Clients are encouraged to use the hand sanitizer often during their workout.
Health Checks
All clients are required to perform a self health check prior to coming to AFS. This health check should include taking temperature and asking the following questions:
- Have I been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19?
- Am I experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat?
- Have I had a fever in the last 48 hours?
- Have I had new loss of taste or smell?
- Have I had vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours?
Answering yes to any of these questions or a temperature of > 100.4° F requires the client stays home and doesn’t come into the facility. These same questions will be asked to all upon entering the facility and body temperature will be taken using a Temperature Check Tablet. All staff will be required to complete a series of questions asked by the mobile app HealthCheck, as well as take temperature pre-shift. Answering yes to any questions asked by the app or a temperature of > 100.4° F requires the staff member remains at home and doesn’t come into the facility.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Per CDC guidelines all unvaccinated staff will be required to wear cloth masks at all times. Additional PPE (gloves, face shields/eye protection) will be worn by staff when utilizing some disinfectant cleaners.
Client Code of Conduct
All clients will be expected to adhere to the following Code of Conduct that will be posted in several prominent areas in the facility:
- Clients are required to follow this pre-screening protocol (prior to exercising mentioned above under “Health Checks”), and not come to AFS if they answer “yes” to any of the question or have a temperature of > 100.4° F:
- Clients are required to maintain social distancing of 6-9 feet (ideally 9-12) at all times.
- Fully vaccinated clients (14 days after second vaccination) are not required to wear masks when exercising and in the facility.
- Clients who are not full vaccinated are required to wear masks at all times.
- Clients are strongly encouraged to disinfect equipment before and after use.
- Clients are encouraged to sneeze/cough into their arm and away from other clients.
- Clients will bring their own face mask, water bottle, face towel, mat, and boxing gloves to class.
- Clients are encouraged to use hand sanitizer upon entering the building, after each station (or exercise if in SS), and upon leaving the building
- Clients are encouraged to wash their hands as often as possible.
- Clients are encouraged to limit excessive use of equipment wherever possible.
- Clients are encouraged to come dressed to exercise to limit time spent in the facility.
- Clients are encouraged enter the building no sooner than 5 minutes before their scheduled class time and leave the building within 5 minutes of class ending.
- Clients are required to report any violation of our policies to staff members on duty and should not attempt to police violations themselves with other clients.
Front Desk & Check-In
A Plexiglas Sneeze Guard will be used at each front desk to add an additional protective barrier between clients checking in and our front desk team. All clients will utilize our touchless check-in system to minimize surface contact. Handheld UV-C wands and Virex will be used to disinfect all high touch items and surfaces frequently. Decals on the ground in the lobby will denote proper social distancing for all clients as they check-in and use the Temperature Check Tablet. To minimize lobby time any necessary transaction or membership changes can be handled via email (email info@4afsfit.com). Client are asked to enter the facility, dressed to exercise (whenever possible) no longer than 5 minutes before the scheduled start time of their class. Clients are likewise ask to exit the facility within 5 minutes of class ending.
Fitness Solution
To ensure proper social distancing in classes and to prevent overcrowding all FS classes will shift to appointment-based, with clients being able to sign-up through AFS’ mobile app, AFS Connect. Classes will have capacity limited ensure proper social distancing of 9-12 feet (the recommendation for exercise settings) and a minimum of 1 person per 100-150 square feet. This capacity will vary based on room size at each facility. The 9-12 foot social distance will be indicated by decals on the floor at each station. All FS rooms will meet or exceed the 9/3/20 executive order limiting capacity to 25% in each room. Maximum capacity during this initial phase of reopening will be 5 clients per FS class in Ann Arbor and 10 clients FS per class in Plymouth and Rochester.
Classes will run continuously throughout the day* using the automated timer and format (i.e., 90 second rest intervals in between all six minute stations, resulting in a 45 minute class). However, unlike our standard automated class masked instructors will be be floating throughout the facility to assist clients when needed. Instructors will maintain a 9-12 social distance at all times and provide no physical palpation during class.
All equipment, once used by a client, should be disinfected after use. Clients are also encouraged to disinfect equipment before use as well. Finally, we have removed mats and boxing gloves from the FS room, as they’re too difficult to effectively disinfect. Clients will be required to bring their own mats and boxing gloves (AFS will also have these for purchase at the front desk).
*Please note specific schedules will be made available by each facility and are subject to change.
Strength Solution
To ensure proper social distancing in classes and to prevent overcrowding all SS classes will shift to appointment-based, with clients being able to sign-up through AFS’ mobile app, AFS Connect. Classes will have capacity limited ensure proper social distancing of 9-12 feet (the recommendation for exercise settings) and a minimum of 1 person per 100-150 square feet. This capacity will vary based on room size at each facility. All SS rooms will meet or exceed the 9/3/20 executive order limiting capacity to 25% in each room. Maximum capacity during this initial phase of reopening will be 5 clients per SS class at all three facilities.
Classes will run continuously throughout the day* using and masked instructors will be in the SS room to cue, correct, make modification, motivate clients, and disinfect equipment. Instructors will maintain a 9-12 social distance at all times and provide no physical palpation, or spotting during class.
To minimize touching of equipment clients will need to set up their own exercises based on guidance from their instructor. Once a client completes an exercise, the instructor will disinfect equipment prior to putting it back in rotation to be used by other clients. Clients are also encouraged to disinfect equipment before and after use as well. Finally, we have removed mats from the SS room, as they’re too difficult to effectively disinfect. Clients will be required to bring their own mats (AFS will also have these for purchase at the front desk).
*Please note specific schedules will be made available by each facility and are subject to change.
Locker Rooms & Bathrooms
Bathrooms will be disinfected multiple times per day in all facilities using Virex on all high touch surfaces. Locker rooms (in Plymouth & Rochester) will be opened for showering before 9am. After 9am locker rooms will be closed for showering, however bathroom facilities will remain opened. Clients are also encouraged to come dressed to exercise and limit locker use as a means to reduce a high touch surface and prevent congregating in-facility for any unnecessary amount of time. As mentioned previously client are asked to enter the facility, dressed to exercise (whenever possible) no longer than 5 minutes before the scheduled start time of their class. Clients are likewise ask to exit the facility within 5 minutes of class ending.
Meetings with Practitioner & InBody Measurements
Due to the difficulty maintaining social distancing in an office setting all client-practitioner meetings will take place via Zoom or telephone until further notice. We will also transition all InBody (body composition) measurements to self-administered; practitioners will provide instructions to clients on how to conduct a self-InBody measurement.
COVID-19 Advisory Board
Dr. Ryan Malosh, PhD MPH is a research scientist at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. He holds both a PhD in Epidemiologic Sciences from University of Michigan, and Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, and International Health from Boston University. His research interests are focused in the areas of transmission of respiratory viruses, and social determinants of respiratory infections.
Jakob Kriebel, BS is a Environmental Health and Safety officer for a major medical system located in Ann Arbor, MI. He graduate from from Oakland University with a degree in Environmental Health and Safety. Mr. Kriebel has dedicated the past several months to combating COVID-19 in the hospital setting, focusing on PPE & disinfecting procedures.
