Our community is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 activity. According to a recent notification from Berkshire Health Systems, “The highly contagious delta variant is the prevalent strain of COVID-19 across the country right now and is likely the strain present here in the Berkshires.” Together, over the previous year, we adjusted our lives to mitigate the active cases in our community.

In response to the rise in cases and support our mission to ensure the safety of all children in our care, effective August 6, 2021, Berkshire Family YMCA has updated the following policies for children in our programs under the age of 12:

  • All children and staff in the Child Care Department will be masked while indoors.
    • This includes the classrooms, child care lobby, hallways, gym, and auditorium. 
    • Staff and children can remove the mask while outdoors.
  • At drop-off, parents will be asked the following questions:
    • Are you, your child, or anyone in your household exhibiting any of the COVID-19 symptoms?
    • Have you, your child, or anyone in your household been exposed to COVID-19 in the past two weeks? 

To support our efforts, we will recommend mask-wearing to anyone inside of our facilities who may share space with child care participants and in transition areas.

As a reminder, as of July 30, Massachusetts has updated their mask guidance:

  • Fully vaccinated individuals are advised to wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home) if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is an unvaccinated adult.

At​ this time, BFYMCA recommends that all persons who enter the facility wear a mask if they are:

  • Unvaccinated
  • Are vaccinated and have a weakened immune system or live with someone with a weakened immune system
  • At an increased risk due to age or an underlying condition. 

Thank you for joining us in our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

August 5th, 2021