Virgin Active closes Singapore gym after two positive Coronavirus tests

Virgin Active Health Clubs has announced that it has closed one of its Singapore gyms - at Tanjong Pagar - for four days following two members testing positive for the Coronavirus.

Information on the closure, which commenced yesterday (19th March), was explained in a press statement that advised the facility had carried out a "deep clean and thorough disinfection", and that all common areas, such as lifts and toilets, are also being treated in accordance with Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines.

The MOH has confirmed that the outlet can continue operations, but Virgin Active decided to close it as a precautionary measure. The club will resume operations next Monday.

Virgin Active, which operates six facilities in Singapore, said the first infected member had visited its Tanjong Pagar facility on Monday, while the other was at the same location on Monday and Tuesday. Both members did not take part in any group exercise classes.

The MOH confirmed that the two cases are currently not linked to each other.

The MOH is also conducting detailed contact tracing on all employees, members, freelancers and other parties that the affected persons may have come in contact with. Virgin Active said it will continue to monitor the situation.

At least 10 gyms in Singapore, including Fitness First, F45 and True Fitness have this week issued notices via e-mail or on their social media pages informing members of hygiene measures at their premises and urging members to practise social responsibility.

These measures include taking temperature, health and travel declarations and increasing cleaning.

As reported by Singapore's Straits Times, Level gym, which has two branches at Telok Ayer and Robinson Road, will stop conducting its HIIT, strength and conditioning classes from today until 2nd April as a precautionary measure, advising in it said in an e-mail to clients that this will "ensure we are doing our part to halt the spread of infection in our community".

Personal training sessions will continue, but clients can only train at one studio.

Sport Singapore, which operates the ActiveSG gyms islandwide, said last week that regulated access would be implemented according to the gym's size and that notices would be displayed and queue numbers issued if it was at full capacity. Programmes conducted at ActiveSG studios will also be held outdoors.

The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) cancelled its 2020 Convention, due to be held this week in San Diego, USA, after a recommendation from the California Department of Public Health to cancel or postpone gatherings of more than 250 people.

Images courtesy of Virgin Active.