Interior Health says fitness centres, gyms, yoga studios, and other similar personal training facilities will be allowed to reopen on Tuesday, May 19.
It’s part of Phase 2 of the province’s plan to restart the economy, but it is conditional on these facilities being able to meet the requirements needed to keep both staff and clients safe.
“Interior Health is following the B.C. government Phase 2 of their opening plan, and we believe that gyms fit into that category with the other personal service establishments,” said Courtney Zimmerman, Interior Health’s Director of Environmental Public Health.
“We recognize the importance of gyms for people’s physical and mental health, and we think that if done safely, its important for gyms to open back up to their members.”
She says any facility that wants to open has to develop a plan based on the measures laid out by the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. There are guides on the Interior Health website, and facility operators can also contact their local Environmental Health Office.
Zimmerman notes that if gyms open up, it will likely look very different than what you’re used to.
“And I think what we’ll see from a lot of our gyms is that reducing the number of members that a present at a time to ensure that social distancing. Things like bookings of appointments, especially for those peak times,” she added.
“So I think we are going to see some changes in our gyms like circuit fitness are probably not going to happen any more because we’re going to need to make sure that each set of equipment is sanitized after each member.”
The health authority says there will more information coming from WorkSafeBC as well. People who have questions can call the Interior Health non-medical COVID-19 phone line at 1-888-268-4319.
Zimmerman notes that while gyms will have to take steps to ensure safety, a lot of the onus will be on members as well.
“Things like ensuring that you don’t go to your gym if you are not feeling well. You’ll know that your gym is working with Interior Health as there will be signage up around the facility indicating not to come in if you are not feeling well,” she added.
“We’ll be encouraging you to wash your hands, markings on the floor, social distancing information will be available.”
Interior Health ordered gyms to close on April 2.
