Oceana Aquatic and Fitness owner calls out Public Health and govt on gym supervision rules

With no road map forward for further easing of restrictions, a Clarence alderman and business owner says he will reopen 24 hours a day regardless of current COVID regulations.

• State government advertises new $100,000 jobs to monitor hotel quarantine facilities
• Public Health’s lack of data responsible for rumours and fear around borders reopening

THE ban on gyms opening 24 hours a day defies “logic, compassion or common sense” and an eastern shore gym and aquatic centre will reopen around the clock regardless of current regulations, says the managing director.

Dean Ewington, of Oceana Aquatic and Fitness and Clarence City Council alderman, said he and about 12 other gym owners met with Public Health and Workplace Standards on Thursday about the issue.

“Our expectation was what we would be provided with a road map on when that may be able to happen, unfortunately we left the meeting none the wiser,” he said.

“Which doesn’t make any sense when our industry already is exceeding the COVID safe policies.

“This is simply not good enough and is unfortunately symptomatic of the many inconsistencies in covid policy and a lack of transparency and rationality around many public health decisions that are wreaking havoc on Tasmanian businesses and the wider population.”

Dean Ewington who is managing director of Oceana Aquatic and Fitness will openly defy COVID regulations and re-open his gym 24/7. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Currently, sporting and gym facilities must have at least one staff member present to supervise the premises at all times while it is being used.

“We were told fitness club and gym environments remain a high risk area for transmissions, which is simply not backed up by the facts,” Mr Ewington said.

“The other point we raised was that allowing 24 hour access would actually spread out attendance.”

Mr Ewington said he had heard of at least one gym owners who had resorted to living in their premises to allow 24 hour access for members.

“Meanwhile their wife and four kids stay at home – [it] is heartbreaking and puts a human face that these bureaucrats seem willing to ignore.

“With the obvious benefits to mental and physical health from regular exercise, which should be considered an essential service to protect the community from the virus, the ongoing ban simply defies logic, compassion or common sense.”

Mr Ewington said he would openly defy current regulations and reopen Oceana 24/7 from September 19 onwards.

“We simply have to learn to live with the virus, not continue this charade of eradication and locking everything up,” he said.

“We are exposed to risks in every aspects of our lives and it’s now time that our leaders acknowledged that and did their job, eased restrictions and clearly outlined the plan for fully opening our fitness clubs, other businesses, borders and clearly outline their plan for how we are going to live with this virus.”