Cuttack: Gymnasiums, yoga, and other fitness centres in several places of Odisha reopened today after a long hiatus of over 4 months as per the Covid-19 Unlock 3.0 guidelines issued by the Central government.
However, they are allowed to open with a proper set of preventive guidelines issued by the State government as well as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to contain the spread of coronavirus.
In Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, many gyms opened their shutters with all precautionary measures in place.
Owner of Start Gym in Cuttack, Nitesh said, “As per the SOP issued by the State government, we have installed sanitisers on the entrance of the gym and ensuring that all people sanitise their hands before entering the gym. We have arrangements for thermal screening and are also providing face shields and masks for our customers. This apart, we have kept a one-hour session for each batch so that the gym can be cleaned completely before the next batch starts.”
“In a batch, only 20 customers are being allowed to exercise. We are ensuring physical distancing inside the gym,” he added.
“I am happy to resume workout which I hope will boost immunity amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” said a fitness enthusiast.
Expressing his enthusiasm, a gym goer said, "We have come to gym after 4 months and I am happy to start workout once again. The gym operators have given us time slot for exercising and ensuring sanitisation between one-hour gap."
Preventive Guidelines For Gyms:
All yoga institutes and gymnasiums in containment zones shall remain closed for public. Only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open up.
All yoga institutes and gymnasiums shall comply with all health related guideline/SOP/notification issued by the Union/State Government from time to time. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised not to use gyms in closed spaces.
The measures need to be observed by all (members, visitors & staff) in these places at all times include
- Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet as far as feasible.
- Use of face covers/masks is mandatory at all times within the premises. However, during yoga exercise or exercising in gymnasiums, as far as possible only a visor may be used. Use of mask (in particular N-95 masks) during exercise may cause difficulty in breathing.
- Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be practiced wherever feasible.
- Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves the strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing of used tissues properly.
- Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.
- Spitting should be strictly prohibited.
- Installation & use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
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Unlock 3: Odisha Gym Owners Urge Govt To Open; Here Are Likely Precautions