Norristown Businesses Prepare for Green Phase: What to Expect

NORRISTOWN, PA — The green phase of coronavirus mitigation is finally here in Montgomery County, and Norristown's local economy is starting to hum once again. On Friday, June 26, Chester County will move into the green phase along with the rest of southeastern Pennsylvania, the most lax phase of Gov. Wolf's reopening plan.

For the first time since the pandemic brought the region and much of the world to a grinding halt in mid-March, indoor dining and drinking, barbershops, gyms, and more are allowed to open.

Green phase does not mean business as usual, however, officials are quick to remind the public. Coronavirus cases have steeply dropped around southeastern Pennsylvania and Montgomery County, which, as of Wednesday has average of 33 cases per day over the last two weeks. But the threat of the virus remains. Norristown has the highest number of cases of coronavirus in Montgomery County by a landslide, and all businesses must continue to abide by the state Department of Health's guidance for operating in the COVID-19 disaster emergency.

"Covid-19 is not over," Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said. "Green does not mean going back to the old normal. Green means going forward to a new normal, one where we are living as safely as possible with this virus. The risk is not going to be zero. "

One of the biggest changes from yellow to green is that restaurants and bars are permitted to open up to 50 percent capacity. In the local area, what this will look like will vary based on the establishment. Customers should check with restaurants beforehand, as some require reservations.

The municipality said that their facilities and parks will reopen on July 1.

“The Municipal Council takes this very seriously," Municipal Administrator Crandall Jones said. "So, while we do want to provide more access to services for our residents, council rightfully insists that it be accomplished in a responsible and safe manner for residents and staff.”

The Recreation Center is open at 50 percent capacity, and masks are required. Temperature checks will be in place there, and at all other indoor county facilities.

In addition, municipal hall has reopened to employees and visitors. Council and advisory board meetings may be held in person, but could be held online for a time, at the discretion of the council.

Green phase also means that larger gatherings are permitted, and major venues, like the Elmwood Park Zoo, are permitted to reopen.

"Elmwood Park Zoo looks forward to welcoming guests back for the first time since our closure in mid-March," Shaun Rogers, the zoo's marketing director, told Patch. "We will be opening in a limited capacity with policies in place that aim to better protect the safety and health of our guests, our staff and our animals. We thank everyone who supported us during our closure, and we hope to see you back at the zoo soon."

As expected, things will look a little bit different at the zoo in the post-pandemic world. Masks are required for all guests and staff, and the zoo will operate at a maximum capacity of 300 people.

Single day guests must purchase timed tickets, and yearly members must reserve a time slot, in order to visit the zoo. This can only be done online. Tickets first went on sale Wednesday morning.

Guests have a 30 minute window following their stated entry time upon which they can enter the zoo. Early arrivals will not be permitted.

Several parts of the zoo are closed, including all interactive play stations, the Percussion Garden, face painting, feeding experiences, barn yards, outdoor concession stands, stroller rentals, Nature Shop store, Wildlife Lodge, and the Trail of the Jaguar.

Free admission will be granted for the zoo for all Norristown residents on Sunday, July 5. This program will resume taking place on the first Sunday of every month. Adults must show identification to prove their residency.

Blazin Body Fitness, located on Markley Street, has an expansive cleaning system in place, with staff on hand to clean equipment after every use. Customers are also given a bottle of cleaner when they check-in, and can return the bottle upon leaving.

Masks are recommended for use while in the gym. They can be removed during the execution of a strenuous movement, a spokesperson for Blazin Body told Patch. They should be put back on once the strenuous activity is complete.

Operating with social distancing guidelines in place will be a challenge, the business acknowledged.

"We know that many of our members appreciate the community feel of the GYM and the relationships with staff," the spokesperson said. "And we plan to maintain that, but will be evolving our staff operations to support social distancing for the health of our staff and members."

In nearby Plymouth Meeting, Edge Fitness said they planned to reopen on Friday, with an abundance of hospital-grade cleaning supplies. Group classes will be limited in size, and every other piece of cardio equipment will be closed to allow for social distancing.

“One of the great things about our clubs is the amount of space that we have," Jeff Stone, the chief marketing officer for Edge Fitness Clubs, said in an email. "This allows us to comply with state-mandated capacity restrictions while allowing members to safely adhere to social distancing guidelines."

Service on SEPTA's Manayunk/Norristown regional rail line will resume on Sunday, June 28. All riders are required to wear masks. The schedule will provide hourly service on Mondays through Fridays, and service every two hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

That schedule change is in effect for all regional rail lines, except Chestnut Hill West and Cynwyd, which remain suspended.

Area barbershops, which were not permitted to open in even a limited capacity in the yellow phase, are scrambling to prepare for their reopening Friday. Several underwent deep cleans over the past week.

Meanwhile, at Gangster Vegan Organics, the local cafe and market continues to donate food and goods to members of the community. They're also implementing a new community education program teaching residents how to cook plant-based meals.

Their "Feed the Block" program reguarly provides 100 bags of fresh produce to residents of the Norristown area. "We're on a mission. Transform the quality of life, and improve the quality of life worldwide through food," owner Vinny DePaul said.

The green phase also means that other sorts of gatherings are allowed, including concerts. The municipality has not yet announced details on the resumption of the summer concert series, which had been postponed.

Fourth of July celebrations are canceled.

The Audubon YMCA has not yet announced a reopening date. Several nearby YMCA's, including Phoenixville YMCA and North Penn YMCA, announced that they are opening to the public on Monday, June 29, at 5 a.m.

As of late Wednesday, Norristown has 1,032 coronavirus cases — roughly an eighth of all cases in Montgomery County — and 55 deaths since the outbreak began. However, they've also seen a drastic decrease in cases over the last 14 days.

Our Way Forward: See more stories about Pennsylvania's coronavirus recovery