ALBANY, N.Y. - Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday that this coming Monday, he will be addressing the potential reopening of gyms and fitness centers.
In his Friday morning conference call updating New Yorkers on the state's progress during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuomo only said these following 16 words when it came to gyms, "Gymnasiums, we will put out protocols on Monday for gymnasiums to open which follow the protocol."
But those 16 words are music to the ears of gym owners across the state like Jen Venezio, owner of Body By Design in New York Mills.
Venezio says she was excited to hear the announcement, saying "I think it's a step in the right direction. Myself as well as gym owners all across the state have been eagerly awaiting some type of information to push us in the direction of ultimately being able to reopen. I'm not totally certain that we will have a re-opening date come Monday but we will at least know what protocols need to be put in place so that we can open our doors."
Venezio says she has already implemented a number of things to make sure she keeps her clients safe once she does reopen and believes she is ready to open now, but says she will certainly adjust to any new protocols the Governor mandates on Monday, "I am prepared to open as far as to what I know at this point. We are uncertain what the governor is going to expect from us. But as far as air and ventilation, spacing, entrances and exits, all of the signage necessary, yes that's been put in place for a while."
Venezio says it would be great to be able to open by the end of the month, "I feel as we go into the fall with the difficulty of schools reopening, going into more inclement weather, it's getting darker out earlier, I think people are really going to need this outlet that I think they've been missing for so long. So I'm excited at the possibility of being able to offer that to my clients soon."
NEWSChannel 2 will be bringing you the news from Governor Cuomo on Monday as soon as it is announced.