Victorian Premier omits 'high-risk' gyms from state's reopening plans

While Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday announced an easing of the state's Coronavirus outlines restrictions, he has expressly excluded fitness facilities from activities and businesses that can resume trading.

As reported by 7NEWS, when asked if there were plans to reopen gyms under the state’s Step One and Step Two Coronavirus easing measures, Premier Andrews advised “(gyms are) a high-risk environment (and) that’s not my opinion, that’s not a matter that I’ve come up with, that’s the international evidence.”

Ignoring information provided by Fitness Australia and other groups, Premier Andrews went on to advise “we’ve gone further in relation to outdoor (exercise) but it is a very challenging environment and it’s one of those things where no-one’s taking any joy out of that.”

Premier Andrews (pictured) went on to say that gyms were “unsafe” by nature and work was underway to determine when exactly they could reopen, adding “there’ll be a time when they can, and we’re looking at that closely, but I can’t just give them the news they want now because it wouldn’t be safe to do that.”

Fitness facilities have been operational in other Australian states over recent months and, despite cases sporadically being linked to them, no major outbreaks have occurred and been associated with a gym.

Yesterday’s Coronavirus easing measures will allow up to 30 swimmers in outdoor swimming pools in Metropolitan Melbourne.

Premier's comments cause industry outrage
Premier Andrews' comments have been condemned by fitness industry representatives with VIC Active saying the industry has been betrayed by Premier Andrews and Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton and Fitness Australia's Barrie Elvish referring to the Premier Andrews making "disingenuous statements" about lockdown restrictions.

VIC Active wrote "despite clear evidence from around the world that fitness centres are some of the most COVIDSafe environments, fitness centres (have been) overlooked by the Premier while nearly every other industry was given a re-opening date.

"VIC Active says that this betrayal jeopardises the health and wellbeing of hundreds of thousands of Victorians, suffering after months of lockdowns, and puts the employment of thousands more at risk."

VIC Active spokesperson Tim Schleiger said that fitness industry had presented a clear COVIDSafe re-opening plan based on the proven model that was developed in NSW and Queensland.

Schleiger stated "we met with the Deputy CHO and public servants in recent weeks. They listened to our position but have done nothing. They have ignored our re-opening plan that have been informed by best practice data globally.

“The argument about indoor venues doesn’t stand up – nearly every other indoor venue has been given a clear date to reopen and they don’t have the pre-existing contact tracing capability that fitness centres do.”

In an open letter to Premier Andrews, Fitness Australia Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish wrote this afternoon that "this consistent 'anti-gym' messaging leads me to conclude it can only be based on ignorance or a deliberate strategy to use the sector as some form of litmus test for “proving” an ongoing extension of draconian lockdown restrictions are justified.

"You have once again persisted in maintaining gyms are unsafe and cannot be made safe. This is despite evidence to the contrary in every other Australian state where the sector is safely operating with a range of COVIDSafe protocols.

"But Premier, how would you, or your department, know? To date the Victorian Government’s engagement with the fitness sector has been the worst in Australia.

"Your recent comments also ignore the most recent data that indicates the hospitality sector has more than five times the number of transmissions as the fitness sector.

"In the UK gyms don’t even rate in the top four most affected sectors, which are care homes, workplaces, hospitality and schools.

"Are you serious when you claim that because restaurants are commercial enterprises with COVID-Safe plans, cleanliness standards and staff ensuring social distancing they are safer than gyms, personal training or fitness studios?"

Elvish went on to highlight:

1. With 1,500 facilities employing 40,000 Victorians and supporting 900,000 members it is safe to say gyms are commercial enterprises
2. All gyms interstate are operating safely and effectively with COVID-Safe protocols in place
3. Unlike the hospitality sector, gyms have had hygiene protocols in place for 10 years; not months
4. In some states COVIDSafe protocols include a dedicated staff member not just ensuring social distancing but also cleaning
5. Our specific proposals for Victoria made allowance for the provision of temperature checks on entry, masks and gloves for members. 

Article amended 5pm, 19th October 2020 to include comment from Fitness Australia and VIC Active.

Images: Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (top), VIC Active spokesperson Tim Schleiger (middle) and Fitness Australia Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish (below).