Province orders temporary closure of all indoor group fitness activities

Province orders temporary closure of all indoor group fitness activities
Courtesy of CBC
The Province of British Columbia has issued an order for the temporary closure of all indoor group fitness activities amid the current surge of COVID-19.

The Province of British Columbia has issued an order for the temporary closure of all indoor group fitness activities amid the current surge of COVID-19.

According to provincial health officials, venues that organize or operate types of indoor group physical activities must suspend them temporarily while new guidance is being developed.

This is an enhancement of the restrictions, which were announced and implemented last week by Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.

On Nov. 19, health officials pressed pause on businesses, recreation centres or other organizations that organize or operate high-risk indoor group physical activities including spin classes, hot yoga, and high-intensity interval training.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 24, the temporary suspension is being extended to include gymnastics, dance studios, martial arts, yoga, pilates, strength and conditioning, and cheerleading.

The Province has outlined that it is currently working on new fitness guidelines and more information should be available this week.

Once the new information is available, provincial health officials say venues must use the new guidance to update and re-post their COVID-19 Safety Plan before resuming operations.

Gyms and recreation facilities that offer individual workouts and personal training sessions can remain open as long as they have a COVID-19 Safety Plan that is strictly followed, the Province adds.

The B.C. Government is reminding businesses who close due to COVID-19 restrictions that they could be eligible to receive rent support of up to 90 percent from the federal government.

The initial group fitness restrictions, announced on Nov. 19, were to remain in place until at least Dec. 7.

Along with the fitness restrictions, Dr. Henry and Minister Dix mandated masks be worn in all public indoor spaces and that social gatherings be limited to immediate household members.

Graham CoxGraham Cox

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