YMCA locations in Boise, Meridian, others set to close for one week due to coronavirus
The Treasure Valley Family YMCA will close multiple locations this week from Monday, March 16 to Sunday, March 22, according to a news release sent out late Sunday.
YMCA leadership said they have been closely monitoring the coronavirus and made the decision over the weekend.
The Caldwell YMCA, the Downtown Boise YMCA, the south Meridian YMCA, the west Boise YMCA and city of Boise Aquatic Center, the Healthy Living Center and the YMCA Camp at Horsethief Reservoir will all be closed.
Child development sites in the Boise School District, starting Monday, and Vallivue School District and Caldwell School District, starting Wednesday will be closed concurrent to the school districts’ closures and will reopen when schools reopen.
The Boise School District and West Ada School District made the decision on Sunday to temporarily close schools, as well as several other school districts across Idaho.
“COVID-19 has fundamentally disrupted the way we do business,” YMCA leaders wrote in a news release.
“At the moment the Treasure Valley is not experiencing a community spread, closing facilities is intended to give us time to prepare,” they continued. “Closing facilities for one week will give us time to learn more about how to offer important programs and services to the community in the safest way possible, and adapt to meet critical needs.”
The symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, sore throat, joint and bone pain, headache and chills. Idaho had five confirmed cases of the virus, as of Friday.
The coronavirus is believed to have a higher mortality rate than seasonal flu, especially among the elderly and people with other health conditions or compromised immune systems.
“The health, well-being, and safety of our members, participants, volunteers, and staff is our top priority,” said David Duro, president and CEO, Treasure Valley Family YMCA in a news release. “Our leadership team has been monitoring the ever-changing dynamics of the COVID-19 virus and listening to the advice of federal, state, and local government and health officials.“
The YMCA will update its management team daily and send out regular updates to the staff, he said.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 7:45 AM.
