Govt Releases Guidelines For Gym Reopening; Know Details

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday issued guidelines for gyms and yoga centres that are set to reopen from August 5. Here are the main highlights from the notification:

• People to come in batches and staggered timings.
• Gap between batches to be 15-30 minutes to avoid rush and facilitate cleaning and disinfecting process.
• Frequently touched surfaces such as benches, handrails, equipment to be sanitised after every individual use.
• Hand sanitisers to be provided near every equipment.
• All yoga institutes and gyms will be allowed to open other than those located in containment zones.
• Shouting/laughter yoga to be discouraged.
• Elderly people above 65 years, people with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years have been asked not to use gyms or yoga centres in closed spaces.
• Yogic kriyas are to be avoided or planned in open spaces.
• People having oxygen saturation level below 95 per cent should not be allowed to exercise.
• Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet as far as feasible.
• Wearing of masks and face covers is mandatory although those with breathing difficulties during exercising can use a visor for protection.
• Frequent hand washing and using hand sanitisers a must.
• Strict “respiratory etiquettes” such as covering mouth and nose while sneezing/coughing with a tissue, cloth or flexed elbow and disposing used tissue properly.
• Floor area of 4 square metres per person to be allotted with spacing between equipment at a distance of 6 feet. Using outdoor space is encouraged.
• Card-based, contactless payment to be encouraged.
• Only asymptomatic people to be allowed admission. Thermal screening of all users to be carried out mandatorily.
• Gym owners and admins are required to maintain a detailed account of check-in and check-out time of the users along with their details.
• Deep cleaning of washrooms and premises to be done at end of day.