Gym owner Simon Johnson says restrictions a drain on mental health and business

Darwin gym owners are fuming they are not yet able to open after the lockdown for Greater Darwin lifted.

DARWIN gyms are furious they will be closed for another week under government orders following a three-day lockdown, calling the ruling “discrimination”.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced the restriction on Thursday morning, despite Greater Darwin and Palmerston coming out of its three-day snap lockdown at noon on Thursday.

It was part of a larger ­decision to also postpone all close contact sport until August 26.

Chief health officer Hugh Heggie advised the Territory government to retain a “consistent approach” implemented during the previous lockdown in June considering the risk to venues.

Dr Heggie said the concerns surrounded inadverted spitting, coughing, shouting and yelling that could transfer the Delta variant of the virus far easier.

“I’d like to apologise for those (gyms) that won’t be open for another week, but you can actually conduct your classes and activities outdoors if you find a place to do that,” ” Dr Heggie said.

But Darwin gym managers and owners are protesting against the latest decision.

Simon Johnson, of Edge Health Club Casuarina, ­believed the closures were a drain on mental health through the community.

Gym owner Simon Johnson says the restrictions for gyms were ridiculous. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A number of leading Darwin fitness figures, including Mr Johnson, have banded together to take a moral stance against the restrictions.

“I think it’s discrimination, basically,” he said.

“We knew it was going to happen again because they weren’t going to make ­exceptions for gyms.”

The group of about 20 gym owners, managers and personal trainers say their stance is not about a lack of revenue on affected businesses.

“We really don’t want this to be about us crying for help because the gym is closed and my business is suffering,” Mr Johnson said. “This really is more about what we actually bring to the community.”

MORE TOP NEWS

New $12.5m NT lockdown support package announced

Darwin Festival to reopen under Covid restrictions, program rejigged

FULL LIST OF HOTSPOTS: Sydney, Canberra Airports and NZ declared hotspots by NT

Mr Johnson said the fitness industry had concerns over the widespread outbreak of health issues from the extension of restrictions that could lead to depression, anxiety, diabetes and obesity.

“There’s just many side affects to opposing us,” he said.

Mr Johnson said gyms had been more diligent over the daily cleaning of equipment since last year’s outbreak.

“If anything, we probably are the most sanitary environment you could be in,” he said. Mr Johnson challenged the advice to the Chief Minister and said gym bosses asked to speak to the chief health officer. “In our industry it is crazy how you can sit in a pub or a bottle-o, but you can’t go to the gym,” Mr Johnson said.

“There is no science behind it.”