Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced a gradual re-opening for gyms and fitness centres during her briefing on Tuesday, Jan. 18. (Dreamstime)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

WEIGHT OVER

Province to lift restrictions on gyms & fitness centres, one day after extending

Jan 18, 2022 | 1:49 PM

NANAIMO — A return to the iron paradise is coming sooner than first thought.

A day after provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry indefinitely extended orders put in place in late December which forced the closure of gyms, fitness centres and dance studios, Henry announced a re-opening of those facilities, effective Thursday, Jan. 20.

The change applies to individual workouts and group fitness classes, provided a host of conditions are met including capacity limits equal to seven square metres available for every individual in the space.

“The spacing requirements apply to those working out on their own…but also applies to group fitness classes to have that unincumbered space around people,” Dr. Henry said during her Tuesday, Jan. 18 briefing.

Henry called the confusion surrounding the orders on Monday an error on the government’s part, with the intent to extend the orders until Tuesday’s briefing so Henry could speak to them.

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In order to re-open, facilities must provide enhanced cleaning, air filtration and, where possible, take pre-bookings for facilities and classes or build in additional time between classes to allow for ventilation and cleaning.

Masks must also be worn at all times while inside gyms and fitness centres. They remain highly encouraged, but optional during workouts.

The BC Vaccine Card will continue to be used to grant access to these facilities.

Henry called it “a very difficult decision” to close fitness facilities before the holidays.

“I think this is a really important measure, I really want to thank the owners, operators and staff…and who recognized this was another change and very challenging situation with the spread of Omicron and they did what we asked to protect their workers and their gym community.”

Remaining in place however are mandated closures for bars and nightclubs, as well as additional capacity limits for restaurants and ticketed events.

“Given the current rates of transmission…and the number of people currently requiring care in hospital which is at the highest level for COVID cases we’ve had, I will be extending the current restrictions on events and gatherings until Feb. 16.”

In addition to the continued closure of bars and nightclubs, restaurants must limit tables to a maximum of six people while a 50 per cent capacity limit remains in effect for sporting events, concerts and theatre shows.

“We will reassess the need once again (ahead of Feb. 16) to keep any or all of these measures in place.”

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