Fitness First highlights gym hygiene measures

Leading exercise chain Fitness First Australia has today advised of the hygiene measures that it undertakes in its facilities.

The health and wellbeing of Fitness First members and colleagues is our highest priority. We have been and continue to take precautionary measures to minimise the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes increasing the frequency of cleaning and sanitisation at our clubs using medical grade cleaning products. Fitness First welcomes the comments from the Chief Medical Office regarding gyms being low risk and the statement from NSW Health confirming that it safe to go to the gym.

The full measures that have already put been in place since last week are:

• Increasing the frequency of cleaning and sanitisation at our clubs. Including the use of medical grade cleaning products. 
• Providing additional hand sanitisers for all member and staff use.
• Educating and reminding staff and members on hygiene and cleanliness best practices. With signage and regular announcements in club. This also includes reinforcing our 'no towel, no train policy' 
• Requiring all Fitness First staff to declare their health and travel status. If they have travelled overseas recently or have come into contact with a proven case of Coronavirus, they will be required to self-isolate for 14 days and provide a clearance certificate from a doctor prior to returning to work 

The group, which was yesterday criticised by former Federal Foreign Minister and NSW Premier Bob Carr in a panel discussion on the ABC, last week confirmed that a person with Coronavirus used its George Street Sydney facility on 9th March.

In the wake of this Fitness First Australia communicated with members advising "a person who was at George St Fitness First on 9 March approximately between 6am and 11am has recently been confirmed as having coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

“You have been identified as a casual contact and we advise that you monitor your health until 24 March 2020 (14 days after exposure to the infectious person).”

A Fitness First Australia spokesperson confirmed that the gym, which remains open, was thoroughly disinfected in accordance with NSW Health Department guidelines.

A spokesperson for Fitness First told Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph “additional cleaning was undertaken as soon as the club was informed of the case in question by the NSW Health Department.

“The gym, equipment and public areas will continue to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in line with NSW Health Department recommendations.”

As of today, Fitness Australia has shared the following guidelines, issued by NSW Health, with advice on whether it is safe to go to the gym, offering tips on social distancing in gyms:

• Keeping fit remains important. If you are well and have not been asked to self-isolate then you can go to the gym. Don’t go to the gym if you are unwell.
• You should use wipes provided before you use each piece of equipment.
• You should try to go to the gym when it’s less crowded.
• Gym classes are currently OK, but this advice may change.
• Gyms should be ensuring that they are cleaning regularly, using appropriate disinfectant

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