Oak Ridge Senior Center to re-open in phases

The City of Oak Ridge is planning a phased re-opening of the Senior Center on November 3.

Closed since March 16 due to COVID-19, the Senior Center is a “valued community resource providing opportunities for social interaction, continuing education, and exercise for area seniors,” a press release said.

During the first phase of re-opening, the Senior Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This limited schedule will allow time to clean and disinfect the building between sessions, the press release said.

Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, the following safety protocols will be in place, the press release said:

• Participants and staff will be required to wear face masks and follow social distancing standards while in the building.
• Upon entry, all participants will be asked COVID-19 screening questions, and temperatures will be checked.
• Those who have COVID-19 symptoms will not be permitted to participate in programs.
• Each participant will be required to fill out new information and release forms when they return to the building for the first time.

During Phase I, participants will be required to call ahead to schedule activities so that room and building capacity limits can be observed. The Recreation Room will be available for pool or ping pong in one-hour increments, with a limit of six players at any one time. The exercise room will be open to schedule 45-minute sessions. Equipment use will be limited to one machine per person per session, and there will be no more than three participants allowed in the room at a time, the press release said.

The Senior Center will also be offering a limited number of spots for one-on-one technology assistance to participants. This will include help using smartphones, laptops, and other devices as well as guidance on the use of social media and conferencing applications (such as Zoom). Other programs and activities will be phased into the Senior Center schedule as conditions permit.

Participants are asked to bring bottled water, as water fountains will not be open at this time. Call the Oak Ridge Senior Center at (865) 425-3999 to schedule activities or for more information.