Health Ministry mulls reopening gyms
The Ministry of Health is currently conducting discussions on the possibility of reopening gymnasiums, following a plea made by the Sri Lanka Fitness Federation. Last week stakeholders of bodybuilding and fitness sports in Sri Lanka held a press conference requesting the government to allow gymnasiums to operate, with recommended safety guidelines.
Public gatherings, social events and group activities that involves over 10 individuals, were barred since mid-March, after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. After nearly 10 weeks of closure, the country gradually reopened to its normal status, but certain restrictions, including physical training, bodybuilding and fitness activities at gymnasiums, still remain unchanged.
“The Ministry of Health is currently seriously observing the issue and we are still unaware of what the outcome could be. Anyway, the decisions will be based on mainly focusing the wellbeing and safety of the people,” said Dr Lakshman Edirisinghe, the Director General of Institute of Sports Medicine, on a letter forwarded by Aravinda Wijeyamanne, the President of Sri Lanka Fitness Federation, to the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force and the Director General of Health Services.
Dr Edirisinghe hinted what could possibly come out as recommendations which primarily treats social distancing as top priority.
“Gyms could be opened but with closed confined areas to patronise. Gym articles should not be shared, which means usage of equipment could be done with limited levels. The gyms will be issued with strict guidelines before resumption of activities,” he said.
The possible reopening of gymnasiums or indoor sports and physical training centres could be enacted in the near future, but operators may have to restrict the usage of its equipments that are often shared.
In addition users will strictly have to follow the safety measures currently active, such as wearing masks, gloves and usage of disinfectants. With the amount of sweat dispatched by a person during a session, the owners and operators of gymnasiums may have to follow strict cleansing protocols. However activities that are identified as less risky in connection with the spread of the pandemic, such as cardio, aerobics and zumba may resume, with strict social distance guidelines.