Tempe Reopening 3 Community Centers on March 15

TEMPE, AZ — The recent decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in Arizona has led to some positive news for Tempe residents.

That's because the city will reopen its gyms and fitness centers at three community centers on Monday.

The three community centers are Kiwanis, Escalante and North Tempe, all of which closed to the public amid a spike in coronavirus cases in early December.

Capacity limits will still be enforced at the three community centers, according to a press release from the city, allowing for social distancing within the facilities.

Anyone that visits one of the three centers will still have to wear a face covering inside to prevent the spread of the virus, the city said.

Temperature checks may be taken on anyone that visits the centers and that existing cleaning protocols within the facilities will still take place going forward, the city said.

The pool at Kiwanis Community Center will reopen, with swim lessons returning in April and lap swim and water fitness sessions opening to the public on Monday.

Citywide, the number of COVID-19 cases in Tempe has increased by 38 cases, from to 19,839 on Monday to 19,877 on Wednesday, according to the Arizona Department of Health Service's zip code data dashboard.

Statewide, the number of COVID-19 cases has plunged of-late, from a high of 9,803.71 cases per day on average at its peak on Jan. 12 to 1,381.71 per day on March 7, per data collected by the Associated Press.