Due to the growing need for guidance in re-opening health and fitness clubs in the context of COVID-19, industry federations and experts from across the globe worked together to provide the necessary support. The resulting guidelines, aimed at gyms, fitness studios and aquatic facilities, comprise a key considerations document and risk assessment tools adapted from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) COVID-19 guidance for mass gatherings and sporting events.
WFSGI announces guidelines to re-open gyms & facilities in context of Covid-19 (photo: WFSGI press release)
The World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) is pleased to announce the release of global guidelines to re-open gyms, fitness studios and aquatic facilities in the context of COVID-19. The guidelines are comprised of a key considerations document with accompanying risk assessment and mitigation tools and are available to download here.
The guidelines were developed by a working group, instigated and led by International Health, Racket & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), in cooperation with WFSGI and other Industry Federations and Experts. The members of the group include:
- Kilian Fisher, International Public Policy Advisor, IHRSA
- Helen Durkin, Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy, IHRSA
- Andreas Paulsen, Executive Director, Europe Active
- Professor Alfonso Jimenez, Europe Active
- Emma Mason, Vice President for Strategic & External Affairs, WFSGI
- Paul Hackett, Health & Safety Consultant
- Paul Eigenmann, Standards Expert, Qualicert
- Richard Budgett, Medical and Scientific Director, IOC (International Olympic Committee)
- Dr. Andrew Murray, Chief Medical Officer, European Tour Golf
In addition, consultation took place with ICREPS (International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals) and EREPS (European Register of Exercise Professionals).
WFSGI announces guidelines to re-open gyms & facilities in context of Covid-19 (photo: WFSGI press release)
WFSGI’s involvement in the Working Group has therefore had two overarching purposes namely to help deliver practical guidance for gyms and fitness facilities to re-open safely so that:
- members of the general public have the opportunity to return to these facilities to attain the recommended daily levels of physical activity and
- elite athletes are able to return to these facilities to train.
Robbert de Kock, WFSGI President & CEO said:
WFSGI is proud to have been part of the Working Group that delivered global guidelines to re-open gyms, fitness studios and aquatic facilities in the context of COVID-19. COVID-19 has caused unprecedented damage to the global economy. We believe these guidelines are a good demonstration of the benefits of multi-stakeholder cooperation to find solutions for the fallout from the greatest public health crisis in living memory. We thank IHRSA for their leadership in this matter.
Emma Mason, WFSGI Vice-President for Strategy and External Affairs added:
We know that the safe re-opening of gym and fitness studios will help many people globally to be more physically active after lockdown and that is key to both the global health recovery and the recovery of our members’ businesses.
While the guidelines have been developed using the best information available, it is intended purely as guidance to be utilised at the user’s own risk and are provided ‘as is’ without any warranty and/or representations of any kind. No responsibility or liability is accepted by IHRSA, WFSGI, Europe Active or by any person (legal or natural) who has been in any way concerned with the development of the guidelines for their accuracy, content, completeness, legality or reliability. No warranties and/or representations of any kind are given as to the suitability or otherwise of the information to the user’s particular circumstances.
WFSGI Press Release
KOMENTARZE