Maharashtra: Fitness freaks, ready to hit the gym?

Gyms, fitness centres in Maharashtra to reopen from Dussehra amid strict COVID-19 measures
Gyms, fitness centres in Maharashtra  will reopen from October 25
Gyms, fitness centres in Maharashtra will reopen from October 25Image source: Unsplash

Pune: After months of being cooped up at home, it’s time to hit the gym as Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has made clear that gymnasiums and fitness centres in the state will be permitted to restart operations after Dussehra.

While declaring the order, the state government has made clear that gyms will be reopened only if people strictly follow the Standard Operation Procedures (SOP). Going by this, the gyms which are closed for seven months when the lockdown in India was announced to curtail the spread of Covid-19 are set to open from October 25. Though the central government had allowed gyms and fitness centres to reopen across the nation in the last phase of Unlock, the state didn’t permit gyms to recommence amid the rising cases in the state.

This has been a relief for all the dedicated gym-owners as well. Balkrishna Nidhalkar, owner of BM Fitness said, “Its almost seven months, the gyms were closed amid the surge in COVID-19 cases. It was a hard survival as the COVID-19 affected the business completely. We thank the government by deciding to reopen the gyms. We also assure that the specified SOPs will be strictly followed.”

Shivraj Pujari, a regular gym-goer said, “Gym freaks will gear up now. It’s been long now that I have not even looked at my gym bag but its good news as gyms will be reopened. The rewards of exercising in the gym include increased self-esteem and improved moods. I will prefer hitting the gym when it is less crowded.”

Though gyms will resume its business, activities like sauna, steam bath, Zumba and Yoga, which either involve group activities or water which can increase the possibility of contagion, will remain closed. Also, as per reports, the gym equipment needs to be sanitised every hour and the gym premises need to be sanitised before closing. Proper social distancing and norms have to be strictly followed.

In its Unlock, the state government on October 14 permitted metro train services to restart from October 15 and also permitted shops to function from 9 am to 9 pm.

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