NC Senate panel votes to reopen gyms, despite health officials’ concerns

A Republican-led effort to reopen gyms, yoga studios and other fitness facilities over Gov. Roy Cooper’s objections unanimously cleared a Senate committee Thursday morning. The businesses are currently closed until at least late June under Cooper’s orders to combat the spread of coronavirus.

The bill would allow gyms, yoga studios and other fitness facilities to reopen at 50% capacity if employees get their temperature taken daily and wear masks, unless they’re leading a fitness class where they can social distance. Temperature checks and masks wouldn’t be required for gym customers.

Democrats on the Senate Commerce Committee had questions about the safety measures in place at gyms, but none voted against the measure.

A representative from the Department of Health and Human Services, Matt Gross, read a prepared statement highlighting concerns that gym environments could spread COVID-19 even if social distancing is practiced. He declined to answer further questions from committee members, saying he’s limited by an ongoing lawsuit in which gyms are suing the state to reopen.

The concerns didn’t sway Sen. Paul Lowe, a Winston-Salem Democrat. “What I would like to know is what can be done as it relates to gyms, so that they can open in a safe manner,” he said. “I’d like to think there is something that can be done so gyms can operate like some of these other businesses.”

Gross noted that gyms are allowed to put equipment and fitness classes outdoors, but Sen. Paul Newton, a Concord Republican, argued that it wouldn’t work.

“If you’re in a shopping center you’re not going to be able to go outdoors,” he said. “The governor has chosen to shut this industry down.”

Sen. Rick Gunn, a Burlington Republican, sponsored the bill and also sponsored another bill last month that would let bars reopen with outdoor seating. That bill was still pending on Cooper’s desk Thursday, and he has a few more days to sign or veto it before it automatically becomes law.

Under Gunn’s bill, gyms would have to take a number of steps to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including contactless check-in procedures.

They’d have to provide hand sanitizer, wipes or disinfectant spray for equipment, and limit water fountains to only filling water bottles. Equipment and group fitness classes would need to be organized in a way that keeps people at least six feet apart.

Sen. Natalie Murdock, a Durham Democrat, said she wants to make sure contract tracing will be effective in instances where coronavirus outbreaks occur at gyms.

Ches McDowell, a lobbyist representing Planet Fitness, said his company’s gym users scan IDs as they enter and exit, so it’ll be easy to notify customers if they were exposed to someone with COVID-19. The same is not true at all gyms.

The bill will likely go to the Senate floor next week. Asked if — after seeking to reopen bars and gyms — he’ll pursue legislation to open other shuttered industries, Gunn told the NC Insider that he doesn’t have any specific plans now but is open to considering future legislation.

Cooper spokeswoman Dory MacMillan said late Wednesday that “this bill is irresponsible and disregards public health recommendations.”