OHIO — Keeping McClellan’s Taekwondo Academy doors open this year meant keeping up with COVID-19 guidelines.
The Taekwondo Academy has more than 200 students and owner Christie McClellan said they have been at the forefront.
“It’s about the safety of them,” McClellan said.
Now with the CDC and Ohio dropping mask mandates for those fully vaccinated, McClellan’s is left with decisions, as many of their students are under 13 and aren’t eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. They’re turning to the parents.
“We created another survey saying here are some changes we want to implement are you comfortable or not comfortable and every one said to keep spectator mask required.”
Students have always been able to remove their masks once on the mat, which has socially distanced markers. Instructors were required to wear them, but will not be able to anymore.
McClellan is hoping to phase out temperature checks next. One thing that is staying is playing dodgeball after class.
“The kids’ faces when we said we’re going to play dodgeball just lit up. They’re like ‘oh normalcy.’ So as long as they try to play hard, they get to play their game.”
McClellan’s Taekwondo Academy is located in the Columbus suburb of Gahanna.
