Just as people across the state begin enjoying the extra freedoms of eased restrictions, another big announcement has dropped about sport and exercise businesses.
The rules say that from 11.59pm on June 21, indoor physical recreation venues, including gyms, can open. There will be a limit of up to 20 people allowed per space and everyone will be subject to the much-touted four square metre rule. All gym-goers must try to stay at least 1.5 metres apart.
When it comes to fitness classes, up to ten people are allowed per group or class at any one time. Keep in mind that the class instructor or teacher isn’t counted as part of that ten. The reason that classes are capped at ten is because the chief medical officer considers the risk of spreading the virus heightened at indoor sporting spaces and gyms because of how much sweating and breathing goes on. Indoor gyms also have several high-touch shared surfaces, so it’s vital that gyms are enforcing regular cleaning and disinfection.
There are currently no limits on how long you can spend in a Victorian gym. As per previous announcements, you can still exercise outdoors with up to 20 people as long as you stay 1.5 metres apart.
Due to the low number of cases in young people, the limits on the number of people allowed per group does not apply when all participants are 18 years old or younger.
So what will your gym experience look like after June 22? If you visit a larger gym, they are allowed to set up multiple separate “zones” for 20 people as long as each zone is at least 200 metres squared. There will be increased cleaning, and it’s likely it will be a less sociable place. If you’re interested, have a read of Time Out Sydney’s piece on the future of gyms post-pandemic.
For further clarification (including info on martial arts, horse riding and snow sports) be sure to check out the Department of Health and Human Services website.
Keep up to date with the latest rules: here’s what you will and won’t be able to do from June 22.