BARAGA COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
PRESS RELEASE
June 9, 2020
Governor Whitmer’s announced on June 5, 2020, more than 30 counties in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula will move into “Phase 5” of the state’s economic re-opening on June 10th, which allows movie theaters, salons and fitness centers may reopen.
All business effected, including gyms, will have to abide by strict safety precautions to attempt to control the spread of the virus. Those safety precautions include:
Gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, sports facilities, exercise facilities, exercise studios, and like facilities must:
a) Post sign(s) outside of entrance(s) informing individuals not to enter if they are or have recently been sick.
b) Maintain accurate records, including date and time of event, name of attendee(s), and contact information, to aid with contact tracing.
c) To the extent feasible, configure workout stations or implement protocols to enable ten feet of distance between individuals during exercise sessions (or six feet of distance with barriers).
d) Reduce class sizes, as necessary, to enable at least six feet of separation between individuals.
e) Provide equipment cleaning products throughout the gym or exercise facility for use on equipment. (f) Make hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap and water, or similar disinfectant readily available.
f) Regularly disinfect exercise equipment, including immediately after use. If patrons are expected to disinfect, post signs encouraging patrons to disinfect equipment.
g) Ensure that ventilation systems operate properly.
h) Increase introduction and circulation of outdoor air as much as possible by opening windows and doors, using fans, or other methods.
i) Regularly clean and disinfect public areas, locker rooms, and restrooms.
j) Close steam rooms and saunas.
Since its inception in January 2006, the BCMH Rehab and Fitness Center has served the residents and patients of Baraga County for all of your rehabilitation and fitness needs. With the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing, BCMH is unable to re-open the fitness center portion of the BCMH Rehab & Fitness Center. Due to the limited space, manpower, resources and safety of rehabilitation patients we cannot in good conscious support the re-opening of the gym to its current members at this time. All memberships will be refunded from the closure date of March 17, 2020. We will continue to assess the situation, along with the COVD-19 crisis, but the BCMH Fitness Center will not be re-opening in the near future.
We know this is a disappointment to many fitness center members, but unfortunately the BCMH Rehab & Fitness Center is vastly different from your ordinary “gym”. BCMH physical therapists assist patients recovering from major joint surgery, patients needing cardiac rehab and other high-risk patients that we are not willing to risk exposure to potential infection. From the precautions listed above, BCMH will have difficulty implementing social distancing guidelines – due to limited space of facility and areas being utilized by Rehab patients, maintenance of daily contact tracing – no dedicated personnel for task, and shortage of Housekeeping personnel who are currently devoted to the regular cleaning and upkeep of BCMH to prevent the spread of contamination. BCMH is committed to keeping the patient at the center of everything we do – that means concentrating on what we do best – keeping you as safe as possible.
There are currently other options in our area for gym or fitness center membership:
Free Spirit Fitness
KBOCC-Baraga Campus
111 Beartown Road
Baraga, MI 49908
906-353-4643
RGM Fitness Center
KBOCC-L’Anse Campus
770 N. Main Street
L’Anse, MI 49946
906-524-8517
Snap Fitness
850 W. Sharon Avenue
Houghton, MI 49931
906-483-0310
The Rehabilitation portion of the BCMH Rehab Center will continue to see patients Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All personnel and patients must wear a face covering or mask during the entire visit and must undergo a screening process upon entering the facility.
Thank you.