Gyms to reopen to 50% capacity

-sport events permitted subject to approval by Minister of Health in new Covid-19 measures announced

Gym owners will have the option of reopening their doors to 50% capacity and sports events are now permitted under the new COVID-19 measures.

The measures which were published in the Official Gazette yesterday, shall take effect from November 1, 2020 and last until November 30, 2020 unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health after an assessment of the prevailing public health options.

After more than seven months of closure, the reopening of gyms and fitness centers will come as good news for the gym owners, gym workers, trainers, sportsmen and women and fitness enthusiasts.

According to the new measures, sports events are permitted, subject to the approval of the Minister of Health and in compliance with any guidelines that the Ministry of Health may issue.

Every person or organizer hosting an approved sports event shall be responsible for ensuring that the measures under the notice, as well as the guidelines that the Ministry of Health may issue are complied with.

Gyms and fitness centres may be opened, but only at 50% capacity of the building and by appointments only to minimize the risk and spread of the coronavirus.

The operator of a gym and fitness centre, shall be responsible for ensuring that their staff and customers comply with the notice and any guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.

In an immediate reaction, President of the Guyana Gym Owners and Trainers Association ( GGOTA), Noshavya King, stated “I am thrilled and delighted to see that we can be open after seven long months.We are hoping that as the gyms are reopened persons will build their immune systems and become healthier overall.”

King added “We are appealing to all owners, trainers and fitness enthusiasts to ensure gyms are fully equipped to follow all protocols set out by the Ministry of Health and to remember we are still in a pandemic and we must continue to take all precautionary measures to ensure the safety of all.”

Meanwhile, for the outdoors, physical exercise is permitted only in parks, on roads, seawalls, beaches and by rivers and creeks, and where group exercise is conducted persons shall maintain a physical distance of six feet from each other.

Any person, operator or organizer, who is allowed to host an event or operate a business, fails to comply with the notice or any guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, the Minister of Health may close the operation of that business or prohibit the event.

Noshavya King