Fitness Australia urges SA to ease COVID-19 restrictions on group fitness classes
Frustrated fitness fanatics and jilted gym junkies want to see COVID-19 restrictions eased in SA so more bodies can work out in a group setting. What do you think?
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Fitness industry leaders are demanding action on COVID-19 restrictions limiting group fitness classes to just 10 people in SA.
The strict rules are among the toughest in the nation, on par with Victoria when gyms reopen next Monday, despite that state having 49 active cases while we have zero.
NSW, with 73 active cases, has capped classes at 20. But WA and NT have no specific limit on the number allowed in classes and rely solely on physical distancing instead.
Fitness Australia SA, WA and NT regional Manager Steve Grace believes a more collaborative approach is needed and hopes to work with the authorities to review the latest evidence, because the current arrangement is flawed.
“I think it’s ridiculous (to cap classes at ten),” he said.
“You can also consider the fact they’re allowing unstaffed 24/7 access and that’s deemed to be more safe and appropriate than very controlled class situations, it really doesn’t make sense.”
Last Friday when the state government announced stage 2.5 of eased restrictions, the SA chief public health officer Prof Nicola Spurrier highlighted concerns about increased risk of transmission indoors and during vigorous physical activity. She referred to “data from overseas” pointing towards a “very high transmission rate” in a Zumba class.
“One of the things we will be looking at is the number of people in a fitness class,” she said. “In a fitness class you’re moving around, you’ve got an increased respiratory rate, so there is an increased risk of transmission in those settings.”
On Saturday the Fitness Australia chief executive wrote to Professor Nicola Spurrier and SAPOL officials requesting a meeting and urging them to reconsider their position.
The industry body is proposing SA adopt the Queensland model of 7sq m per person for fitness classes, which was “developed through rigorous consultation with health professionals and through data gathered from the World Health Organisation, IHRSA, UK Active, Exercise NZ and others”.
“It’s our recommendation that these caps are removed immediately and that the 7 square metres requirement be implemented as a fair and justified alternative for the short-term,” Mr Grace said.
“Given the current climate in South Australia, these restrictions should also be eased further come stage 3.”
However the state’s position has not shifted to date.
“Any easing of COVID-19 restrictions is a matter for the Transition Committee,” an SA Health spokeswoman said in a statement.
“Representatives from SA Health are members of the group to provide relevant health advice however the final decision sits with the Committee.”
Body Fit Training Kent Town owner and operator Beau Williamson has a 210sq m warehouse for group fitness training. He could fit 30 people at 7sq m per person.
“Stop strangling us,” he said. “It’s really frustrating.”