Dear Fellow Members

 

The COVID-19 crisis is certainly unpredictable and many activities at our club will be mandated by the State. The Board takes the safety and wellbeing of the membership and staff very seriously. Therefore, a COVID-19 Response Committee has been formed to evaluate and institute policies as we prepare to reopen this season. As stated before the crisis is a moving target and policies may be adjusted as the situations develop.

 

The committee consists of physicians, medical professionals and others that will meet regularly and hold the health of the members and staff most important. The committee members are Rear Commodore Steve Feinsilver MD. chair, Fleet Surgeon Norman Schulman MD., Robert Appel MD., Colleen Mitgang MD., Robert Brown PA., Commodore Charles E. Parisi, Club Counsel Don Kavanagh, and General Manager Charles Walsh.

 

The Committee met on May 11, 2020 at a virtual meeting via Zoom to discuss responses to the current Covid-19 crisis.   Plans made at this point must assume current New York State regulations requiring social distancing remain in place, although they could be relaxed somewhat in the future. The following is based on CDC, State, Health Department, State Liquor Authority, and US sailing Guidelines.

 

Issues and discussion were as follows:

 

• Restaurant: at present by state mandate we can only provide take out service for food and beverage to be consumed off premises. This could include members taking food to their boats, but not eating at the club.  State Liquor Authority mandate states: “that the temporary shutdown of restaurants also applies to outdoor areas.  That includes service or consumption in outdoor areas of the licensed premises (patios, gardens) and the area immediately outside your establishment.  Food and alcoholic beverages sold “to go” must be carried away, in service of the policy goal of preventing the congregation of people to slow the spread of coronavirus.”

 

• House and grounds: the clubhouse is closed

 

• No guests will be permitted for now

 

• All staff will also be screened for temperature and symptoms daily.

 

• Face masks always required on club property and in building.

 

• Hand sanitizer is available at all entrances.

 

• Members should bring their own water bottle filled from home. There will be no water coolers available to refill bottles to limit any possibility of virus spread.

 

• The beach will open Memorial Day Weekend per state mandate however concessions are not permitted. To prevent the spread of COVID we ask you bring your own beach chairs; if you cannot beach attendants will be available to set club chairs out on request.

 

• Memorial Day hours Friday 12 to 8, Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10 to 8

 

• All members will need to enter the grounds through the gate by Sea Cliff Beach only, where temperature and symptom screening will take place. If someone from a member’s family has a temperature that the whole family will kindly be asked not to return before 72 hours assuming symptom free.

 

• Occupancy limits will apply to limit overcrowding.

 

• Swing set is not available for use until further notice

 

• Basketball and volley ball courts are closed

 

• Pool is being opened and chlorinated, we await regulations from Nassau Board of Health on if and when it can be used.

 

• The lower level bathrooms are available for member use max two persons at a time and social distanced

 

• Lockers are not available at this time.

 

• Marina:
• Passengers and operator are required to wear a mask on dock and launch
• A maximum of 5 passengers and the operator will be permitted on launch unless members of same household.
• The rule of 6-foot distancing will apply on dock and vessel.
• For member and passenger safety, operators will not handle any member’s personal belongings
• Members will be purchasing ice through a no touch method. The launch operator will remove bag from freezer and place on dock for member to pick up and bring to boat.
• Operator will wear disposable gloves and change gloves after each trip
• Boats will be thoroughly cleaned with boat soap and water daily. The combination of soap and water is one of the best disinfectants in force now.
• Operator will sanitize all touch points on vessel after each trip
• Operator will sanitize dock carts after each use
• Operator will regularly sanitize gangway railings
• Hand sanitizer will be available on the dock

 

• The committee is discussing the Children’s Summer Program and Jr. Sailing. At this time, we expect to run these programs. We are awaiting any State Mandates and will be communicating more very soon. A Zoom meeting will be scheduled once more information becomes available.

 

• Ideal18’s will be limited to two sailors per boat unless members of the same household. Boats to be sanitized between uses. Masks and gloves required, once they are splashed.

 

• General: it is important that our members realize the measures being imposed so that they can feel safe around the club. If conditions permit it is possible the state will ease some restrictions and all will be reconsidered as possible. The committee will meet again after the next New York State announcement, in about one week or less.

 

• The staff is trained in appropriate use of masks and gloves and will enforce social distancing, if anyone sees something that makes them uncomfortable please bring it to the manager’s attention verse “gossiping/complaining” we all want to work together to make this summer great and successful given the circumstances.