Reopened Beijing gyms demand exercisers wear face masks

With gyms in the Chinese capital of Beijing reopening in the aftermath of what seems to be the worst of the Coronavirus outbreak in the county, managers are imposing strict hygiene measures.

With authorities easing lockdown restrictions including stay-at-home orders, gyms welcoming back of members are ensuring high levels of hygiene with exercisers’ temperatures checked on entry and all users and staff required to a mask and maintain a distance of about 2 metres.

At the city’s Mi Fitness, the facility is subject to three spot checks a day from the city's sports authorities, the local government and the building's management.

In addition, cleaning of equipment is carried out regularly.

As with all facilities, a breach of the rules may shut down the business. A thorough cleaning of equipment is carried out regularly.

Gym co-founder Liu Mei said the re-opening came in the nick of time as.

In early April after two months of no income and no certainty when Mi could re-open, Liu and her business partner considered giving up the business which only opened in 2019.

Lui told Reuters "I was really panicking before ... the whole sector was in a state of panic.”

Despite these hurdles and concerns about a possible second wave of coronavirus, Liu says the fitness sector has a lot of promise, adding "I really hope that all of those fellow gym owners who feel that they can't stay afloat any longer, can keep going somehow because this sector does have a lot of potential.

"When it comes to getting the nation fit and fighting and resisting this epidemic, I think that our sector should keep going."

Image: Cleaning equipment at Mi Fitness.