COVID-19 has changed the equation in many areas of our lives, including climbing. Work, school, and recreation have all undergone restructuring to keep people safe and healthy. The good news is that parts of the country have begun the re-opening process, and many of us are now able to begin adding our favorite activities back into our routines.
That’s great news for the climbing community, because climbing is an important part of our physical and social health. But here’s the million-dollar question: when will it be safe to climb indoors again?
Safety First: How Method Climb Is Working to Minimize Risk
New Jersey is currently in Stage Two of our reopening plan. That means indoor recreational facilities can be open with limited capacity. During this time, we at Method Climbing + Fitness are working hard to develop new health and safety protocols that will minimize risk when it’s safe to reopen again.
Here’s what you can expect from us:
- Establishing new protocols – We take your health very seriously, and we want you to feel comfortable in our facility when we open. Our safety protocols will follow established recommendations regarding distancing, sanitizing, and other health guidelines.
- Keeping a close eye on New Jersey guidelines – We’re also staying up to date on New Jersey guidelines for indoor recreational facilities. As new information becomes available, we will incorporate those recommendations into our standard operating procedures.
What Does Responsible Climbing Look Like?
As a climbing community, we’re all looking forward to the day when we can enjoy indoor climbing again. In the meantime, though, many climbers are looking for outdoor climbing venues to maintain their strength and skills. Here’s how you can keep your risk to a minimum, no matter where you choose to climb.
- Outdoor Climbing – If you aren’t used to climbing outdoors, be prepared for a learning curve as you adjust to a different environment. For this reason, you should choose climbing venues that remain well below your personal performance limits. Climb in small groups, and avoid physical contact with other climbers. This includes handshaking, high fives, and even sharing drinks or food. Bring a mask with you and wear it when you cannot maintain a distance of at least six feet from other people. You’ll also want to pack hand sanitizer and be sure to disinfect any equipment that another person has touched.
- Indoor Climbing – When climbing gyms reopen, be prepared for enhanced safety measures. Safe indoor climbing will include things like social distancing, masks, hand sanitizer, and frequent cleaning of equipment. As a climber, be aware of others around you and maintain at least six feet of distance, whether you are in the lobby or on the climbing wall. In addition, sanitize your hands frequently and wear your mask when you are walking through the gym or interacting with others.
At Method Climbing + Fitness, our goal is to keep you safe and healthy, while still supporting the indoor rock climbing community with safe climbing options. We believe it’s still possible to enjoy indoor climbing while remaining safe and responsible. When the time comes to open our doors, we look forward to meeting you at the wall!
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