Fitness Australia calls on Daniel Andrews to reopen gyms in desperate open letter
In an angry letter to the Victorian Premier, a leading fitness boss has demanded gyms reopen, calling for an end to ‘archaic lockdown’ rules.
A top chief executive in Victoria’s fitness industry is demanding the government reopen the struggling sector, claiming current restrictions preventing gyms opening their doors are “based on ignorance”.
In an open letter to the state Premier Daniel Andrews, Fitness Australia chief executive Barrie Elvish called for an end to “archaic” restrictions and implored that gyms were able to enforce COVID-safe strategies.
“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,” Mr Elvish wrote.
“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 COVID-safe 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.”
Gyms were not among the list of industries, announced on Sunday, where restrictions would be eased.
When questioned about when they could reopen, Mr Andrews maintained they were “high-risk environments”.
“That’s not my opinion, that’s not a matter that I’ve come up with, that’s the international evidence,” he said.
“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.”
He said gyms were “unsafe” by nature and work was under way to determine when they could reopen.
“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,” he said.
But Mr Elvish contended all gyms interstate were operating safely and effectively with COVID-safe protocols in place.
“With 1500 facilities employing 40,000 Victorians and supporting 900,000 members, it is safe to say gyms are commercial enterprises,” he wrote.
“Unlike the hospitality sector, gyms have had hygiene protocols in place for 10 years; not months
“In some states COVID-safe protocols include a dedicated staff member not just ensuring social distancing but also cleaning.
“Our specific proposals for Victoria made allowance for the provision of temperature checks on entry, masks and gloves for members.”
Mr Elvish then pleaded with the Premier to review a specific COVID-safe plan fitness sector executives submitted to the deputy chief health officer on September 25.
As of Tuesday, Melbourne’s 14-day rolling virus average had fallen to 6.4.
Regional Victoria has a daily case average of just 0.4.
The Premier has this week hinted at more significant announcements to easing of restrictions this weekend if infections remain low.
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