Weight of Gym Ownership a Heavy Load with COVID-Limits
Gym owners are fighting for their right to be able to run their businesses sensibly and economically.
Despite recent easing of Coronavirus restrictions on gyms, enabling them to re-open, many indicate the guidelines remain too restrictive for the gyms to be functional.
Liberal Member for Western Victoria, Bev McArthur, said the limits make gyms unviable.
“There are strict limits of 20 people or 10 per space subject to a one person per 8-square-metres rule.
“Given people spend significant time in a gym, this hugely limits the numbers that can use a gym in one day. It’s not like a café where people can come and go quickly. This is a serious limitation on business,” Mrs McArthur said.
She raised her concerns in the Victorian Parliament, including the enforced wearing of masks in gyms.
“Gym owners have publicly made it very clear that masks just don’t make significant exercise possible in gyms. People are weight-lifting, cycling, stretching and vigorously engaged in their physical pursuit.
“Masks aren’t normally worn doing heavy exercise – and runners know that well.
“Gyms are brutally aware of their needs to maintain high levels of infection control and sanitation – but they are clearly not trusted by the Victorian Premier,” she said.
“These are people who care enormously for their health – risk of infection is not their desire.”
Mrs McArthur said Government diktats such as the wearing of masks in gyms are ridiculous.
“After being locked up for months Victorians are desperate to reclaim better mental and physical health. Forcing masks during exercise in counter-productive to this aim.
“We should be making it easier to exercise, not harder.
“Masks need to come off in gyms, for the health benefits of the users, and for the economic survival of the gyms themselves.”
4 November 2020