KUALA LUMPUR – Youth and Sports minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has apologised to all gym owners and operators over the miscommunication about the reopening of gymnasiums in states under Phase Two and Phase Three of the National Recovery Plan today.
However, Ahmad Faizal told The Vibes that his ministry will push for their reopening as soon as possible.
"I am sorry for the miscommunication. I believe the deputy minister was either misquoted or misinformed.
"We will do our best to sort this out with the Ministry of Health and the National Security Council (NSC) soon," he said.
Earlier, deputy sports minister Datuk Sri Ti Lian Ker had given the assurance that gym operators will be allowed to resume operations once the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) had been approved by the NSC.
“We have submitted the new SOPs to the NSC and once approved gyms will be allowed to open,” he said.
Based on the new SOPs, operators are required to adhere to the standard Covid-19 safety protocols, such as sanitising premises and equipment, observing physical distancing, and wearing face masks at all times.
However, only fully vaccinated customers and gym employees will be allowed into the gymnasiums.
According to the initial SOPs, gyms will be allowed to operate at a 50 per cent capacity (regardless of the size of premises), only scheduled appointments will be allowed as walk-in is not permitted. However, shower facilities and lockers will not be made available to curb the spread of the virus. - The Vibes, September 17, 2021
