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CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus: Gyms might be forced to reduce capacity by 70%

Spain's national federation of gyms has drawn up a plan to re-open health centres amid the coronavirus lockdown. It could be a blueprint for other countries.

Steve Hall, one of two people at the gym, works out at Fitness 19 in Lilburn, Georgia on April 24, 2020. - Georgia Governor Brian Kemp eased restrictions allowing some businesses such as barber shops to reopen to get Georgia's economy going during th
TAMI CHAPPELLAFP

Gyms are planning a return to normalcy. Spain's FNEID - Federation of Business for Sporting Facilities - has written out a four-point plan with details of measures that will allow them to open up against despite lockdown measures.

CMDsport have released the information, which would obviously need the freen light from officials in the government making these decisions. LaLiga footballers are currently locked in a stalemate over restarting the league with concern over their safety but nothing will be done until the ministry for health give them the all clear too.

This protocol aims to get the 4,700 gyms in Spain open again in a responsible and prudent manner. They have been closed for over a month and with millions of Spaniards living in apartments, regular gym-goers have been struggling with motivation and the space to work out.

General rules

There are a number of general rules that have to be adhered to before re-opening:

  • Cleaning and disinfection of gyms ahead of re-opening. The cleaning would be carried out by specialists
  • Swimming pools would have to undergo intense chlorination and meet certain critera before people are allowed to enter
  • Show certificates of work completed in the gyms for people to see in order to pass test for re-opening
  • Put ventilation, air conditioning and water-heating equipment into gyms where necessary
  • PPE for all staff along with clean material such as disinfectant, alcohol for hand-cleaning
  • Put protocols in place such as social distancing, help for clients to guarantee their safety
  • Adapt the plan for Risk Prevention

Measure for re-opening

Most of the measures include ensuring the cleanliness of the gym. They will also before forced to reduce the capacity to 30% of its current limit. There will also have to be guarantees that clients can be kept 1.5 metres apart and limits to group classes.

Gym-goers will be forced to use their own bottles and encouraged to pay with card instead of dealing in cash and dressing rooms will have their capacities slashed too.

Follow all the updates on our coronavirus daily live blog.