The calendar has flipped to October and there seems to be no light anywhere close to the end of the COVID-19 tunnel for gym owners, sportsmen and women and gym enthusiasts.
October marks the seventh month since gym doors here were rightfully closed due to the fear of the pandemic. But while gyms all across the world have been safely reopening using the safety guidelines of the CDC and WHO, the same cannot be said for Guyana.
Unlike other countries, there is yet to be safety guidelines provided by the government/ Ministry of Health for the safe reopening of gyms and fitness centres in Guyana.
Under the new local COVID-19 measures published in the official Gazzette, ‘non-essential’ businesses like salons and barbershops can now operate until 8pm,but gyms which have been closed since March, will remain closed.
One wonders what is the rationale behind keeping gyms closed as the curfew is now more relaxed while every other non-essential business are allowed to operate.
There is honestly no part of me that understands why there have not even been discussions about the safe reopening of gyms and fitness centres. And I say that not because there is zero risk. There is a risk, but there is risk everywhere we go with COVID-19.
I often question if the decision makers are aware of the fact that a strong, healthy body and a robust immune system, all of which a gym strongly contributes to can decisive factors in fighting the rising cases here locally.
It is widely known that resistance training improves the immune system and is also a means of modifying metabolic disease. Ask yourself, how many young, fit people have died or even tested positive for the virus?
The gyms here also use a booking system with the name and entry time of the client which could also aid in contact tracing and gyms are cleaned and sanitized as well as or even better than some other businesses in operation at the moment.
Commerce versus safety will always be a part of the equation but I am confident that gym owners are responsible enough to follow the conventional health protocols and stay in line.
The gym is not only about lifting weight, it is also a place for therapy and in this period of crisis, fitness is therapeutic for many.
Citizens need not only be encouraged to wear masks, but to exercise daily, eat healthy, stay strong and be happy.
I also think that track and field athletes and mass sports like cricket, football, basketball, etc. should be allowed to resume training perhaps in groups in five.
Internationally, we note that although the COVID-19 numbers in countries in North America and Europe are astounding, athletes have returned to training and several international tournaments and leagues have already been hosted successfully.
Most will argue that COVID-19 is not going anywhere any time soon. The gyms just cannot just continue to simply gather dust, adjustments have to be made to the ‘new normal’.
I urge the decision makers to provide safety guidelines to safely reopen gyms facilities here.
