Gyms and other exercise facilities in Prince George and throughout the province are being allowed to reopen in, a move the province's top doctor describes as a "cautious step" in lifting COVID-19 restrictions.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced today (Jan. 18) gyms will be allowed to reopen on Jan. 20 under capacity limits and with the continued use of B.C.’s vaccine card.
“We are definitely relieved,” said Dean Coleman, owner of The Movement Health & Human Performance on Domano Blvd.
“Long story short I’m glad they have come to an agreement or an understanding with the fitness organizations to reopen under basically the same type of protocols as we had in the past regarding distancing, ventilation, cleaning and masking protocols.”
In her announcement Henry said the new guidelines had been developed in collaboration with the Fitness Industry Council of Canada.
The additional measures set guidelines on social distancing within gyms and fitness classes.
“We have limited that include a minimum of seven metres square for every individual that is about 2.5 by 2.5 meters and much of this is based on what we learned when we had our phased restart of gyms and fitness centres in 2020 and 2021,” said Henry.
“We have learned about the measures that are important so they can restart safely and protect people who are most at risk.”
Henry noted that masks must also be worn at all times, except when someone is exercising, however she did encourage those who can exercise with a mask on to continue masking.
Henry thanked gym owners, operators and staff for being understanding and complying with the public health orders while they were in effect.
“It was a difficult decision to close gyms and fitness facilities,” Henry said. “We have worked very closely with the fitness industry (to develop plans for reopening).”
As a local business owner Coleman said it has created added stress on the administrative and financial side to navigate the changing health orders.
“We are getting pretty used to it. We are getting pretty good at it but it is tiresome,” he said, adding that it takes time to become fully operational after a lengthy shut-down.
“You can’t just turn the light switch on and off and be fully operational in one day.”
Coleman said clarity and communication regarding changing health orders is key, especially given wide- speculation, prior to today’s announcement, that the gym closure would be extended.
“Announcing new measures on the day that they expire is a bit weird because then you have to pivot so quickly with uncertainty,” added Coleman. “Some warning would be handy for sure.”
Coleman said he knows a lot of people who aren’t coming back to the gym and the last two-years of the pandemic have had a massive impact on the industry.
“People go to a gym or a fitness studio for a specific reason. They love the connection with people and smiling faces, calling you by name and telling you ‘great job’. You can’t get that digitally and there is a huge piece of the pie that is missing there but some people have moved on,” said Coleman.
“It will bounce back but it will take time.”
Coleman also thanked the Fitness Industry Council of Canada for their advocacy work.
“They have been communicating with the province from the very beginning, so I commend them for having a voice and working with them to reopen at least to some degree.”
Prince George Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Corrigall welcomed Henry's decision.
"I think this puts them on a trajectory income stability," he said but added they should still be able to apply for grants though the province's relief program given they will still be subject to restrictions.
He also said businesses have been "feeling the pinch" as a result of employees who may have contracted having to stay home while waiting for a test result.
"They're doing the responsible thing, they're staying away from their colleagues, which is great but what happens inevitably is production for a business will go down, which means sales and revenues will go down equally to that," Corrigall said.
"So, we need to find a system, whether that's getting rapid tests out to chambers of commerce to act as distribution hubs for our respective communities or whether that's getting the testing capacity to a place where it needs to be."
- with files from Mark Nielsen
