ExerciseNZ advises Parliament on fitness during alert level two

May 7, 2020

The Exercise Association of New Zealand (ExerciseNZ) will today be advising the nation’s parliament’s epidemic response committee on how to manage risks associated with COVID-19 within the country’s fitness facilities and exercise providers under a potential move to alert level 2.

Richard Beddie, Chief Executive of ExerciseNZ, says he will table a framework to the committee for the country’s exercise facilities to operating in a Coronavirus environment, showing how people can safely return to exercise facilities when alert level two begins.

Speaking before his presentation to the committee, Beddie (pictured above) stated “the report will provide recommendations for exercise providers that are evidence based and follow a risk-minimisation model.

“It will provide a series of protocols should community transmission risk rise and additional protocols need to be considered to keep exercise facilities open.

“The framework, developed by ExerciseNZ, is a world first during the pandemic, having engaged global experts, as well as a NZ-based clinical protocol designer to ensure all the recommendations were evidence-based and consistent with the latest research on covid-19.

“We’ve specifically considered each and every covid-19 risk and developed a mitigation strategy from them, using a model based on one developed by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, USA.

“We go much farther than we think government will likely go at alert level two. We cover detailed examples and common scenarios, everything from water coolers to treadmills. But we also specifically mandate increased social distancing over and above the existing level two rules, as well as masks in some settings for exercise staff.

“This is all based on the latest evidence and research and due to the unique risks that exercise can pose. The important thing is that by following these guidelines, being in an exercise facility will be safer than going to the supermarket, according to all our research.

“In submitting this framework, we want to not only provide support to exercise providers in navigating COVID-19 but provide information to government and the New Zealand exercising public of more than half a million, that we take safety seriously.

“We have the best evidence-based protocols in the world and will work with the industry to make sure everyone is as safe as possible.”

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5th May 2020 - New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern says no open borders for ‘a long time’

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

2nd May 2020 - New Zealand Warriors granted permission for Australian arrival during COVID-19

1st May 2020 - New Zealand recreation groups support calls for safe domestic travel during COVID-19 Level 2

1st May 2020 - New Zealand ski areas look to snow season operations with restrictions

27th April 2020 - New Zealand Sports Minister advises of permissible activities under eased Coronavirus Alert

22nd April 2020 - ExerciseNZ highlights that gyms’ commercial leases need to be regulated

21st April 2020 - New Zealand Government looks to ease Coronavirus restrictions

9th April 2020 - Key exercise bodies produce New Zealand’s biggest online fitness directory during lockdown

8th April 2020 - New Zealand Health Minister demoted following lockdown breaking mountain bike ride and beach visit

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

3rd April 2020 - Eight out of 10 New Zealand trainers and exercise facilities now operating online

31st March 2020 - With clubs closed fitness providers go online

25th March 2020 - New Zealand’s latest Coronavirus measures significantly impacts outdoor recreation

27th March 2020 - ExerciseNZ disappointed that New Zealand Government allows delivery of alcohol and cigarettes but not exercise equipment

23rd March 2020 - New Zealand Councils close facilities

7th March 2020 - ExerciseNZ to celebrate role of women in fitness on International Women’s Day

19th February 2020 - NZREPS shares research insights into exercise and fitness trends for 2020

18th February 2020 - ExerciseNZ questions fast food and sugary drinks sponsorship of sporting teams

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