Some B.C. fitness centres and their clients are calling on the government to deem gyms and fitness centres as essential services after being forced to once again close their doors because of pandemic-related measures.
Indoor adult exercise, fitness and dance centres were ordered to close as of Dec. 23 until at least Jan. 18, under new measures announced by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Dec. 21 to try and stay ahead of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19. Businesses that defy public health orders can be fined or forced to close.
In Cranbrook, Fitness Inc. decided to keep their doors open despite the mandated closure after they say that several of their members pointed to mental health struggles. The fitness centre received a fine from police for staying open on Dec. 24, and have since closed their doors.
sa国际传媒淎 high percentage of our members come here for mental health reasons,sa国际传媒� Fitness Inc. owner Trevor Zak told the Townsman. sa国际传媒淥ne of our members put it this way: itsa国际传媒檚 the biggest rehab centre for mental health.sa国际传媒�
Darren Henning, one of Fitness Inc.sa国际传媒檚 members and Strongman participants, has organized a to help pay the fines imposed on Fitness Inc. As of Dec. 30, $3,735 had been raised.
sa国际传媒淭revor and Fitness Inc. are a vital part of the Cranbrook fitness community. Trevor made the decision to remain open despite the mandates from the government because he knows how important the gym is to the lives of the members. This decision came at a heavy cost,sa国际传媒� Henning wrote.
There is also a that calls for small, independent gyms in B.C. to be allowed to open. There are more than 43,000 virtual signatures.
Fitness Inc. itself has had no known exposures or cases, Zak says. He adds that they have followed all health orders and that they are vigilant about cleaning. Prior to the latest mandate, proof of vaccination was required to enter the gym.
This isnsa国际传媒檛 the only instance of a gym defying the public health mandate. On Christmas Eve it was reported that several gyms in Kamloops decided to remain open, as well. One such gym is considering a class-action lawsuit.
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Samantha Agtarap, who started the province-wide petition, is calling for a reconsideration of the public health order.
sa国际传媒淧hysical exercise in times of stress is an important outlet for many people, and not all gyms are the same,sa国际传媒� writes Agtarap. sa国际传媒淭here are many small, independently owned and operated gyms that have significantly modified operations to keep their clients as safe as possible and have not experienced any cases of transmission or significant outbreaks over the past two years. Our clients have worked with us to keep our gyms safe and open - they stay home if they donsa国际传媒檛 feel well, the abide by the rules and help keep the gym cleansa国际传媒a国际传媒�
In an . , she adds that while physical activity is important for mental and physical health, sa国际传媒渙ur argument hinges primarily on the lack of data shared with the public on where transmission is occurring. If this is because the government has no data then the fitness sector should not be targeted alone.sa国际传媒�
Zak shared a similar sentiment. He pointed to the Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC), stating that there are sa国际传媒渧ery littlesa国际传媒� statistics to show gyms being a major cause of the spread of COVID-19.
FIC is a not-for-profit trade association that represents fitness facility operators across Canada.
sa国际传媒淔IC did a survey a few months ago. They looked at 2.7 million visits to member gyms and 0.00008 per cent of those visits had an exposure,sa国际传媒� Zak said.
He adds that he would have been willing to reduce capacity or take other measures to be able to stay open, but they sa国际传媒渘ever got the chancesa国际传媒�.
Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka, of the BC Liberals, has been vocal online about his support for modified re-opening of fitness centres.
On Facebook, Shypitka said that facilities like Fitness Inc. can sa国际传媒渙perate safelysa国际传媒� with potential modifications.
sa国际传媒淲ithout even giving these operators the chance to participate puts many others at risk that depend on physical and mental health,sa国际传媒� he wrote. sa国际传媒淚 will continue bringing these issues up to our provincial health officer for better clarification and pushing for more hybrid solutions. Mental and physical health is very important, especially in the times we are now. There is also a petition circulating that I will present to the legislature.sa国际传媒�
Shortly after announcing the Omicron-related restrictions, the province also announced one-time grants of up to $10,000 for businesses that were forced to close in order to pay for lost wages faced by employees. Those funds will be available in January.
Zak says he hasnsa国际传媒檛 had to lay off any staff, and hesa国际传媒檚 given his staff the option to continue working if they wish to do so. While the facility is closed theysa国际传媒檒l be working on maintenance and deep cleaning tasks. He said he will be applying for the government grant sa国际传媒渁s soon as he cansa国际传媒�. He thanked his staff for their support, as well as the community.
sa国际传媒淚 have the best staff, they are the front of the business and they make the business what it is,sa国际传媒� Zak said. sa国际传媒淥ur members are amazing and the outpouring of support has just been great. Isa国际传媒檝e had so many calls and messages from members who say how the gym is like church to them. This is their rehab. This is their out. Theysa国际传媒檙e here every day. We really just appreciate the continued support from our community and members.sa国际传媒�
corey.bullock@cranbrooktownsman.com
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