Covid-19 Updates

Most clubs and studios in North America have either already reopened or are getting ready to do so. If you are planning your return-to-work path either as an owner, manager, independent contractor or employee, you know it’s both exciting to get back to the work you love and daunting with so many unknowns.

The California Fitness Alliance has worked tirelessly to create a comprehensive document “COVID-19 Industry Guidance: Fitness Facilities” that was recently approved by the California Governor’s office, the California Department of Public Health and Cal/OSHA to provide guidance for fitness facilities to support a safe, clean environment for workers.

First there was the proverbial “pivot” to virtual, then the scramble and stress of applying for relief funding from the Small Business Administration’s Payment Protection Program (rounds 1 and 2). If you were among the fortunate who received funding, the next leap was wrapping your head around the details for proper use and tracking of the money.

Last week President Donald Trump and the White House coronavirus task force unveiled their “Guidelines for Opening Up America Again,” a three-phased approach that Whitehouse.gov says “will help state and local officials when reopening their economies, getting people back to work and continuing to protect American lives.” Significantly, gyms were included to reopen in Phase One, provided “they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols.” It was not clear from the announcement or Whitehouse.gov what those protocols entailed.