** 8.23.21 Update - The Buncombe County Covid positivity rate is up to 8.5%. On Wednesday, August 18th, the Board of Commissioners declared a State of Emergency due to the spread of COVID in our community. Effective Monday, August 23rd, masks will be required in all areas of the YWCA facility, regardless of vaccination status. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners now requires residents and visitors five years old and up to wear face coverings in any indoor spaces to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others. **

This past Friday 5.14.21, NC Governor’s COVID-19 ordinance lifted mandatory face masks, social distancing, and capacity restrictions in most settings with the exception of schools, public health, and public transit. We appreciate your patience as we assessed our YWCA operations in order to ensure that we address the unique needs of each program. As you know our building is home to two child care centers and is a resource for many family activities across several programs, because of this we have identified that mask-wearing will continue to be required at this time, in all public spaces within our building along with health screening and temperature checks upon arrival. We appreciate your support and partnership in assuring that we protect our entire YWCA community including those who cannot be vaccinated. 

In alignment with the updated CDC guidelines and NC Governor’s ordinance, we have removed social distancing and capacity limits everywhere in the building and fully vaccinated people are no longer required to wear a mask while inside the gym, locker rooms, fitness studio, or pool decks.  Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated people are asked to continue to wear a mask indoors and to maintain social distance to protect themselves and others.Thank you for the trust that you have in our program and staff as we work together to keep our community safe.- YWCA of Asheville