Gym trainers and owners stage protest, demand reopening of fitness centres in Delhi

“All other businesses are open in Delhi but gyms are being asked to remain closed. There are around 5500 gyms and 5 lakh families rely on them. When restaurants and bars can open at 50% capacity, why not gyms? The Delhi Disaster Management Authority authorized marriage halls where people gather in large numbers, eat and dance in close proximity without masks. We feel powerless and cheated,” said Delhi Gymnasium Association Vice President Chirag Sethi.

The association also submitted a memorandum to DDMA, CM and LG asking them to allow gyms to reopen at least 50% capacity.

Protesters said gym owners are facing a serious financial crisis and are being forced to sell their establishments. “The fitness industry is on the verge of bankruptcy. The industry somehow managed two lockdowns, but this time it is breaking its foundations…” the gym association said in its letter to LG.

Sethi added: “No cases of Covid transmission have been seen in any gym around the world. The DDMA should think about the 5 lakh families that depend on this industry. If the gyms don’t open soon, thousands of gym owners and their families will take to the streets to protest.”

On Thursday DDMA held a meeting and restrictions eased on markets, shopping malls and allowed theaters, restaurants and bars to reopen at half capacity. No decision has yet been made on the reopening of gyms.

A senior government official said: “People train very close in gyms and social distancing it is difficult to implement. It could turn out to be a super spreader of the virus. The matter will be taken up at the next meeting on February 7 and restrictions will be eased if cases continue to drop.”