NSW Deputy Premier expects gyms to be open again by July

May 22, 2020

With ongoing easing of Coronavirus restrictions in the state, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has suggested that gyms and fitness centres could reopen as of July.

With the NSW Government this week announcing that, from 1st June, restrictions on regional travel will be lifted and libraries and museums allowed to open, Deputy Premier Barilaro claimed gym will likely be back in business “in the next month or so” once surface hygiene protocols have been established.

Interviewed on radio station 2GB, he predicted gyms, yoga studios, and beauticians could also be back in business in the coming month or so.

Comparing fitness facilities to bars, clubs and restaurants, which will be allowed to host 50 seated patrons from 1st June, Deputy Premier Barilaro stated "(bars and restaurants are) no different to yoga studios, a whole range of other areas, beauticians, you name it, we're still working with all of those, but we're not talking September (for reopening), no way in the world.

“I’m confident, if the industry plan is right, we’ll be able to make announcements around that.

"We're looking at all these restrictions coming off over the next month or so."

However, the Deputy Premier Barilaro warned against making “knee jerk reactions” and lifting restrictions too quickly, adding “every time we lift a restriction there’s about a ten-day lag before we get data to see if there’s been a spike in infections.”

ClubsNSW today confirmed the state's clubs will reopen on 1st June.

The increase in patronage aligns with the easing of regional travel restrictions across the state and the opening of museums, galleries and libraries on that date.

In a statement, Australian Hotels Association NSW Chief Executive John Whelan said 94% of the hotels' workforce had been stood down or sacked - but from June 1 the industry could start re-employing staff.

21st May 2020 - Fitness Industry launches comprehensive operations framework for safe reopening of gyms

21st May 2020 - NSW Minister provides Public Health Order exemption for swim squad training

21st May 2020 - Genesis’ reopened Western Australian clubs deliver supervised group fitness

21st May 2020 - Belgravia Leisure reveals roadmap to reopening of facilities as Coronavirus restrictions ease

20th May 2020 - Art galleries and museums to reopen from 1st June as NSW Government lifts regional travel ban

14th May 2020 - Experienced fitness operator addresses clubs’ ongoing hygiene and business challenges

13th May 2020 - Life Fitness helps guide safe reopenings of fitness and wellness centres

11th May 2020 - ARI release guidelines for managing Coronavirus risks in reopened aquatic centres

6th May 2020 - Fitness Australia survey finds Australians keen to renew gym memberships

5th May 2020 - Campbelltown Aquafit Manager named Club Manager of the Year at 2020 Australian Fitness Awards

4th May 2020 - Fitness and wellness Industry organisations publish reopening guidance

2nd May 2020 - Fitness Australia announces first winners for the 2020 Australian Fitness Awards

1st May 2020 - Fitness Australia report shows massive impact of Coronavirus closures on the industry

28th April 2020 - Facing up to the Fitness Industry’s post lockdown challenges

23rd April 2020 - Fitness Australia says gyms can safely reopen within strict framework

23rd April 2020 - Planning for a post Coronavirus fitness industry that will not be the same

22nd April 2020 - Australasian fitness industry looks to post Coronavirus operations

22nd April 2020 - Fitness Australia to host virtual events announcing 2020 Australian Fitness Awards winners

7th April 2020 - Two-thirds of the world’s fitness clubs are currently closed

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.