Gov. Cooper should open gyms for the health of people and the economy.
Bankruptcy or reopen against state orders? This is sadly the gut-wrenching decision many gym owners in North Carolina are facing right now.
News and industry reports suggest that after being closed for three months, about 250 health clubs across the state are opening their doors despite Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order closing gyms and fitness centers. They point to a letter from the NC Attorney General’s Office that permits the use of indoor fitness facilities when recommended or prescribed by a medical professional. This leaves fitness clubs that follow the executive order, like ours, at a significant disadvantage.
We are part of the Fitness Owners for Responsible Reopening (FORR), a coalition of industry leaders working with the governor, lawmakers and public health officials on a solution to get North Carolina’s 2.5 million health club members moving again. With the help of public health experts and industry leaders, we proactively developed a 14-step plan outlining stringent health and sanitation protocols to safely reopen gyms. Along with this plan, we launched a website providing guidance and resources to help fitness club operators and members make their return to indoor fitness a healthy one.
Nevertheless, North Carolina remains one of only four states that have not yet reopened or scheduled the reopening of gyms and fitness centers. We join New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts in our position. On Friday, California, one of the country’s primary hot spots for COVID-19, joined the ranks of states to reopen fitness centers.
The truth is, our members rely on us for their physical and mental well-being. Consider the veteran who uses his workout routine to help cope with the struggles of post-traumatic stress disorder . Or the out-of-work parent who relies on her fitness routine to manage stress and promote better sleep. With the added stress of the pandemic, exercise is more important now than ever.
From a business standpoint, North Carolina’s 985 fitness facilities are bleeding revenue, while their 45,000 employees are out of work. Some clubs have even been forced to shift planned expansion projects and new jobs to other states. Even upon reopening, gyms will continue to incur significant financial losses due to reduced capacity.
Thankfully, there are viable legislative and executive options on the table to get North Carolinians moving again.
A bipartisan majority of lawmakers has passed legislation to safely reopen gyms and fitness centers under strict health and safety protocols. This legislation is awaiting the governor’s signature. Additionally, the governor mentioned the possibility of amending the executive order with a phase 2.5 allowing gyms to reopen sooner with clear health and safety guidelines.
This is progress, but time is running out. We call on Governor Cooper to help us safely reopen gyms in North Carolina immediately for the physical and mental well-being of our communities. Businesses, jobs and lives are at stake.
We have a plan. We are ready to reopen, now. Our members are ready to return, now. Now, we need leadership.