Fitness advocates lash out as Victorian gyms face more delays to reopen
The reopening of Melbourne’s gyms has been pushed back due to confusion around the definition of a two-word term, with the industry pledging to fight “tooth and nail” to reverse the move. And a looming meeting may prove to be the deciding factor.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Mid-level bureaucracy and the government’s confusion over its own restrictions is to blame for the sudden decision to force gyms to stay closed longer than first thought.
But there is still hope for gym-goers after the Business Support and Recovery Minister Martin Pakula said he had facilitated a meeting between Fitness Australia’s chief executive Barrie Elvish and Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng next week.
Mr Pakula said at a meeting last week he told the regional roadmap indicated gyms could open in Step 3 under “heavily restricted” conditions, which were still to be determined.
“Ultimately, the public health advice defined heavily restricted in Step 3 for regional Victoria as outdoor operations only,” Mr Pakula said.
“The premier has made it clear that Level 3 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne may not necessarily be the same as those that apply currently to regional Victoria – this will depend on our level of success in reducing the rate of infection in the community.”
“We will continue to consult with the industry and have facilitated a meeting between Mr Elvish and Deputy Chief Health Officer Allen Cheng for next week.”
Premier Daniel Andrews on Friday said he couldn’t reference “any specific cases” of outbreaks at gyms in Australia.
It comes after desperate gym owners and fitness fans copped another blow on Thursday after the State Government announced it would not reopen gyms for at least two months.
Last week, it was announced gyms would reopen on October 26, but a DHHS spokeswoman confirmed to Leader they would open on November 23 subject to having no new cases and public health advice.
“Under both the regional Victoria and the metropolitan Melbourne road maps, indoor gyms are scheduled to reopen in the Last Step,” the spokeswoman said.
Fitness guru Tony Doherty, who owns Doherty’s Gym and is the promoter of Arnold Sports Festival Australia, said the delays were “disgraceful”.
“November 23 is a disgraceful outcome and a slap in the face, all the businesses have done everything that we’ve been asked, this is completely unacceptable and we’re going to fight it tooth and nail,” Mr Doherty said.
On Wednesday, he posted a video to social media, once again calling for gyms to reopen as soon as possible.
“So many gym goers are frontline essential workers. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, police officers, hospital workers, firefighters, social workers, psychologists and care workers. They are being denied the very thread that holds their lives together.” he said.
Mr Elvish said gyms needed to reopen as soon as possible.
“There’s a lot of mixed messages going on at the moment. We’ve been working towards an opening date of October 26,” he said.
“There are more than 900,000 Victorians with gym memberships. They need to be able to exercise, get that balance back into their system and look after their wellbeing.”
He said the State Government should also ease restrictions on outdoor exercise.
“They are now allowing two people to go outside, but why can’t one of them be a personal trainer with their client?” he said.
“They also need to allow gyms to do online filming of their training while people are locked up in their homes as if it’s not done under some sort of guidance or supervision people are going to hurt themselves.”
The DHHS spokeswoman said the nature of working out carries a high risk of transmission, due to sweat and heavy breathing as well as shared equipment.
“We understand everyone is making huge sacrifices and the closure of gyms have been difficult, but this strategy is working and we are driving cases down.”
MORE NEWS
UFC FIGHTER BENJAMIN SOSOLI KING-HIT DRUNK MAN AT TOORAK VENUE
EVENTS STAFF DRESS AS SUPERHEROES TO DELIVER GIFTS IN LOCKDOWN