The East Hampton Town supervisor signed an executive order on Friday allowing already established gyms and exercise studios in the town to offer outdoor classes on separate commercial properties.
Fitness studios and gyms will need to apply for permits to hold these offsite classes and will be required to adhere to social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines and to limit group sizes.
Gyms and fitness studios have been so far left out of the fourth phase of the governor's NY Forward reopening plan because of the heightened risk for transmission of Covid-19 in enclosed indoor spaces. Some have already moved classes outside, but others are hampered by a lack of outdoor space.
"As many local gyms and workout facilities are experiencing extreme financial challenges due to the pandemic, the town has determined that allowing for the expansion of outdoor training and activities may provide some financial protection for exercise studio and recreation facility owners," a release from the town said. "In addition, outdoor classes will help protect the public health by providing a safe opportunity to exercise."
Yoga and Pilates studios had already been cleared by Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc to offer socially distanced classes on their own properties.
Representatives of both the fitness studios and the separate properties will be required to fill out sections of the town permit application, which can be found by clicking here.
The move follows a similar action earlier this summer allowing restaurants to offer temporarily expanded outdoor dining.