7 News Belize

Gyms Want COVID Restrictions Lifted
posted (May 19, 2020)
And while you may be excited to see your favorite Jaguar this weekend, you'd be wise to make it a workout, because it might be a while before you can hit the gym. That's because under even the relaxed State of Emergency guidelines, gyms remain closed.

It's a COVID time reality caused by the perception of the gym as a place where viral and bacterial droplets are released through exhalations and sweat.

But gym owners argue that the gym is a no less sanitary place than any other, with gym members already in the habit of sanitizing every surface they touch.

This morning gym owner Darwin Gallardo took to Facebook to take a stand for his locations with what could be called 10 theses of health and wellness, questioning the task force's decision to keep gyms closed.

And as Belize is at 36 days without the confirmation of a positive COVID test a coalition of fitness industry professionals are speaking out about how they propose to safely re-open their facilities. Cherisse Halsall has the story.

Back in April when strict State of emergency measures were put in place the national task force ordered the closure of spaces and facilities in which it was felt COVID-19 would have occasion and opportunity to spread that included churches, open-air restaurants, hair salons, spas, and gyms. Most of these facilities have now been given the go-ahead to re-open in some capacity. But that hasn't been true for gyms

Darwin Gallardo, Owner, Muscle Hut
"I honestly thought that when they announce changes especially when it came to churches and restaurants allowing people inside I figured okay it's a no brainer they are going to allow some restrictions as well in gyms. All gyms are more than willing to work with whatever guidelines they give us."

Daniel Arguelles. Owner, Burn Box
"Although the businesses are all different we all share the same need to be open and with that I think in the new normal everyone can open at some capacity in order to service the public. So, that would be our common ground that we can do something to manage, mitigate and accommodate a safer environment."

Darwin Gallardo, Owner, Muscle Hut
"I shared my frustration through my email this morning and its where we at because people are messaging me every day when is gym opening, is the gym open, can I use the gym, I can pay you extra to use the gym. No, no, no and no."

Gym owners say that while they've been patient their livelihoods like many others have been put at stake.

Shakira Tsai, Director, Kinetic Gym
"In our proposal to the government what we also did was to say well you know what we're reasonable people why not let's do this opening in phases. Regardless of how small or how big your facility is lets allow 10 people to work in the gym at a time and you space that out 6 feet apart but give people an opportunity, but right now we really feel as if though we've been overlook and we haven't had an opportunity to really say you know what let's look at it, let's practice it and our proposal really all of the different things from working outside, from personal training, from restricting capacity in the facility, reminding people in the facility that you need to stay 6 feet apart, that you need to wash your hands - all of those things are spelt out, so we are hoping that government will reconsider our proposal. We have a lot of people who are hurting in the industry but more than that I think that we are trying to do so to get back to business, but do so in a very responsible manner."

Darwin Gallardo, Owner, Muscle Hut
"It's been an ice-skate uphill as they say, it's just piling up. Rent for example is due in San Ignacio, but we still need to recuperate back. At some point I have considering pulling out, because it won't make sense. I'm nearing 2 months - 4 days will be 2 months that we are closed, so what's the next move? I'll be owing another month and I rather just pull out and say hey you know what we've tried but we can't be piling up on the rent."

Daniel Arguelles, Owner, Burn Box
"All gym owners we all have overhead, we all have investments that we have to accommodate. Being closed for too long just puts a simple strain on our financial obligations, so while everybody might have a different financial obligation, it's still boils down to needing to make money and employing people. I think we have to bridge the gap between the risk that we have out there right now, economize on the time at hand that we have right now and being able to open to survive a little and prepare if there needs to be a new way of operations down the road. We have to learn that. Who knows, it might become more on a burden on us, but that's not to say that we are not up to the challenge. Time is of the essence."

And in the interest of making the most of that time, Shakira Tsai of Kinetic gym reached to the Fitness community in order to create some basic guidelines for the industry's way forward.

Shakira Tsai, Director, Kinetic Gym
"In collaboration with a group of different gym owners across Belize. We decided to put our heads together, put a proposal, one that included a little bit of research in terms of what the international communities is also doing. The government has really done a good job in containing and mitigating COVID-19 and the fact that we don't have any active cases in Belize would basically say that you know what it's a little safer."

Tom Tsai, In House Trainer/ Co-owner
"In our opinion it is the best time to allow all businesses to at least open in a limited capacity to test out all the social distance policies to get use to the new norm, because if you don't allow us a chance to get use and practice these things now, a second wave might be very imminent as soon as we open our borders. By then there is no practicing. This time is the best time to get all these measures in place and test it out."

When it comes to fitness all of these gym owners practice what they preach and in appealing for their re-openings they're making the point that fitter bodies are better able to ward off viruses, even COVID-19.

Daniel Arguelles, Owner, Burn Box
"Being able to live a healthier lifestyle which is now the better thing to do."

Darwin Gallardo, Owner, Muscle Hut
"The benefits of working out are countless, especially in these times where I heard other news stations across the globe talk about the importance of staying active. Covid-19 isn't going anywhere, we have to live with it, so might as well prepare our bodies for it."

While health is the crux of their argument these gyms are aware that the situation is fluid and could take a turn for the worse. Still, gym owners hope that they like many others can be allowed in the moment between waves to serve their clients and keep them safe while receiving a bit a much-needed revenue too.

Daniel Arguelles, Owner, Burn Box
"We are a gym we rely on people to come to the gym we don't want them to get sick. Sick people don't come to the gym, so it's in our best interest to provide a safe space for people to come and build their immunity."

Darwin Gallardo, Owner, Muscle Hut
"I do feel that while Belize is Covid free we should be grateful for that, but we should be given a little more consideration as they are giving to other establishments."

The New norm in gyms will certainly include social distancing, reduced capacity, strict handwashing, and sanitizing protocols. All measures highlighted in the Fitness Industry's letter to the National COVID-19 Taskforce.

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