Carbon County’s senior centers will soon reopen to the public, but with some changes to help keep attendees safe during the pandemic.

On Thursday, Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that the senior center managers, who have been working on reduced hours for the last few months as centers were shuttered, will be returning to their normal hours in the next few weeks.

“A lot of seniors have been asking the question (when the centers are reopening) so we are officially moving forward with making that happen,” he said.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich said that this is an opportunity to mitigate another risk, of social isolation, that many seniors have experienced, referencing a Wall Street Journal article.

“Seniors are getting tired of sitting at home,” Nothstein said. “They are ready to get out and see their friends.”

Commissioner Rocky Ahner said the Area Agency on Aging, which oversees the five county senior centers in Palmerton, Lehighton, Jim Thorpe, Panther Valley and Weatherly, has built a plan to safely reopen.

Contacted Friday morning, Anne Horrigan, director of senior center services, said Lehighton, Penn-Kidder, Panther Valley and Weatherly centers will reopen on Aug. 13. Palmerton will reopen on Aug. 14.

“We will be following CDC guidelines with respect to masks, social distancing, not exceeding total capacity allowed in buildings at one time,” Horrigan said. “Admittance will only be allowed by registering in advance.”

She said center operators will be at the centers to take reservations starting Aug. 10.

“There will be no walk ins. Participants will have hand sanitizer dispensers (to use) upon entering and to be used throughout the day,” Horrigan said. “They will be asked to fill out a brief health questionnaire once a week. Staff will be sanitizing all common areas daily.”

Meals will be a cold lunch menu consisting on individually packaged sandwiches and salads and seniors will have the option of either taking their lunch home or eating it at the center.

“Our main goal on reopening safely is to provide socialization since participants are anxious to reconnect with those they haven’t seen in a while,” Horrigan said. “Unfortunately, many of the activities they have enjoyed in the past will not be available. There can be no group trips and the games that require passing items among each other such as cards will not be available during this time.

“We have prepared for the challenges ahead and are anxious to welcome everyone back.”

The senior centers closed in March after the pandemic started gripping the nation.

Carbon County was also forced to cancel the annual Senior Games, which typically brings approximately 200 senior competitors from age 60 to in their 90s.