The Recreational Sports Facility announced Friday afternoon that cardio and weight capacities will be reduced and that face coverings will be required at all times starting Jan. 18.
Brigitte Lossing, assistant dean of students and director of recreational sports, said in an email that N95, KN95 and KF94 face coverings are “strongly recommended,” and that the RSF was making these changes due to the transmissible nature of gym spaces.
“Because the RSF is a gym environment, the spaces promote an increased opportunity for viral-loaded aerosolized droplets to escape due to exhaustive breathing during physical exercise and working out,” Lossing said in the email. “For this reason, Rec Sports is taking these extra steps at this time and sincerely appreciate and thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.”
The change comes following the university’s announcement that instruction for the spring 2022 semester will begin remotely amid the omicron variant surge and another announcement that stated students must also receive a booster shot before Jan. 18 once they are eligible.
