Given the green light to open as early as June 17, gyms and athletic facilities in southeastern Connecticut are rearranging equipment, implementing new reservation systems, keeping some spaces closed and doing a lot of cleaning.

As part of phase two of reopening from shutdowns put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Ned Lamont on Sunday released a 21-page document with rules for sports, sports clubs and complexes, gyms, fitness centers and pools.

The owners of six local fitness centers agreed there weren't any surprises in what the governor put forth, as they had been closely following developments in other states that already have allowed such businesses to open.

The regulations require at least 6 feet between exercise equipment if users are wearing masks, and 12 feet if they're not.

Indoor sporting events will be limited to 50% building capacity or 25 people per field, court or rink, whichever is smaller. Lessons that require physical contact between the instructor and student will not be allowed in phase two.

Sports categorized as "higher risk" — such as boxing, wrestling, football, competitive cheer, roller derby, ice hockey and water polo — are allowed to perform camps, individual or group training, and controlled practices starting June 17, but cannot do scrimmages, games or tournaments until July 6.

The Ocean Community YMCA is in an interesting position, having two locations in Rhode Island — which have already opened — and one in Connecticut.

President and CEO Maureen Fitzgerald said two differences are that Rhode Island has a 14-foot requirement for equipment rather than 12 feet, and Rhode Island's capacity limit is 25% rather than 50%.

The Naik Family Branch in Mystic will be opening June 18, with modified hours, but probably won't open the pool until a week later, Fitzgerald said. The gym won't be open for basketball, and the teen center will remain closed.

Spin bikes have been moved into the gymnasium for classes, and the Y also will be continuing virtual classes, Fitzgerald said. For now, the Y is not selling guest passes or day passes, and it's not allowing guests from other YMCA locations.

Vitale Aquatic and Tennis in Ledyard will open June 20, and owner Anne Vitale said members will be required to reserve pool time in advance. The VAT will start off with a limit of two swimmers per lane and will have 2-hour intervals for open swim time.

Tennis is also by reservation, and The VAT is particularly encouraging family lessons. The facility still has summer memberships available.

Whaling City Athletic Club in New London will have limited classes come June 20 and officially reopen June 29, starting with calisthenics and strength/conditioning. Owner Kent Ward said separate from this facility is the Championship Round center for people with Parkinson's and other movement disorders, and this program will be resuming June 30 "under a very strict criteria."

Many participants are in their 60s and 70s, and Ward said the lack of camaraderie without the program has been difficult on them. The governor's guidance says people over 65 "should not visit/partake in gyms, fitness, sports clubs and facilities, and organized sports, but instead continue to stay home and stay safe."

Ward also said he will try to keep the strict protocol for as long as he thinks is necessary, regardless of cases dropping.

"If you've been in a grocery store, if you're handling a gas pump, if you've walked into a pharmacy to pick up your prescription, my gym's going to be safer," he said. "I can control it. I can control every aspect of my gym."

Lynnea Mahlke, owner of the Anytime Fitness franchises in Niantic and Salem, said in an email she wasn't surprised by the sector rules but felt communication on the state level could have been better and that input from club owners was not taken into consideration.

She said some changes made include more hand sanitizer dispensers, wipes or spray bottles placed with paper towels roughly every 12 feet throughout the club, and new exhaust/ventilation systems.

"In addition we will continue to provide Anytime Fitness video workouts via Facebook, offer virtual classes and personal training for those who would prefer to still work out from home and will also offer classes and personal training outdoors," Mahlke said by email.

Advantage Personal Training, which has locations in Mystic and Niantic, also will continue virtual offerings. Owner Greg Drab said the group training program will operate at 50% capacity, people can register in advance online, and anyone over the limit can take the class virtually.

Kim Moran, owner of the Snap Fitness franchises in Old Lyme, Niantic and Colchester, said she'll probably be putting caution tape on some treadmills to maintain the 12-foot distance and block off some elliptical. Moran said there won't be any changes in hours but there will probably be fewer group classes at first.

e.moser@theday.com