ROCHESTER — The Rochester Council on Aging began its reopening process on Monday, and COA Board Chair Mike Cambra said seniors have been “chomping at the bit” for programs to return.

The council restarted some of its programming this week, including stepping and stretching, line dancing, bingo and coffee and conversation.

Cambra said the council plans to have its exercise room open next week.

“If it was up to the seniors, we’d be open like it wasn’t a pandemic,” he said.

The council is open to as many people can be socially distanced within the facility, but the chair added that the groups for French Class and line dancing were pretty small — around 10 and 15, respectively.

Cambra said that while visitors have to check in when they arrive, no pre-registration is necessary for most programs.

“The only thing they really need to pre-register or is the meals,” he said. “Other than that, it’s pretty open.”

For now, meals like this week’s St. Patrick’s Day grab ’n go meal will be pick-up only, as the council renovates its kitchen. Cambra said the kitchen likely won’t be ready for sit-in meals until May.

Aside from masks and social distancing though, Cambra said operations at the council are pretty normal.

“Other than that, we’ll enjoy all the activities we normally enjoy,” he said.

After a hiatus while the council was closed, the Rochester COA plans to begin publishing its monthly calendar of events in April.