Uncertainty over whether staff need to be vaccinated for when gyms and fitness facilities reopen in NSW - currently forecast to occur on 11th October – has led Fitness Australia to question the “ambiguous” situation.
In a statement released today, Fitness Australia Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish advises “from ongoing conversations we have with the NSW Government it is our firm view that, as with members of the public, there will not be an exclusion applied for staff to enter and work from gym/yoga/Pilates etc. facilities.
“This view is reinforced by the press release issued by the then NSW Premier - Published: 9th September 2021 - that states: ‘Only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will have access to the freedoms allowed under the Reopening NSW roadmap.’
“Later in the same release mentioning specific opening restrictions;
‘Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the 1 person per 4sqm rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.’
Further, in the published government 80% roadmap fact sheet relating to restrictions that will apply at an 80% vaccination rate it states: ‘The Reopening NSW roadmap at 80%, the following freedoms will apply only to fully vaccinated adults (16+) and those with medical exemptions (staff and patrons)’.”
Elvish’s statement went on to advise “it would be nonsensical for the vaccination criteria that applies at 80% not to apply earlier at 70% when restrictions are tighter.
“We are advised that the relevant NSW Public Health Order will be published next week and in the interim recommend that all members anticipate double does vaccinations will be required for all staff and patrons.”
Gyms facing unique challenges
Earlier this week, Elvish suggested that on reopening a higher proportion of gymgoers will be unvaccinated because of their age.
Commenting on fitness facilities’ impending opening, Elvish was quoted by 9 News as saying one of the difficulties gyms were grappling with was its youthful clientele base, among which people were less likely to be vaccinated because of where they sat in the vaccine rollout.
9 News quoted Elvish as saying "one of the highest unvaccinated groups is those aged 20 to 40, but that age group also makes up the largest membership base for gyms.
"So when the total eligible population hits 70% vaccinated, gyms are probably going to only have about 50% of eligible members vaccinated."
Elvish said some gyms may therefore have viability issues with reopening until December while noting that there was also a "fairly vocal minority" in the same membership age group that were either vaccine hesitant or completely anti-vaccination.
"We were very concerned that putting the onus on a manager or a gym owner to ensure that the people coming through the door are vaccinated, without giving them any sort of protection, was going to be problematic.”
However, Elvish went on the say that comments from the NSW Government suggesting the focus would be on individual compliance were reassuring, adding "I think most people will be doing the right thing but the last thing we want is a verbal altercation degenerating into a physical altercation.
"That's why it's really important and really positive that the onus is going to be on the individual."
He concluded that gyms also had the advantage of being able to disable the swipe cards of people who were not vaccinated.
Athe beginning of September a Fitness Australia survey of its members in NSW revealed that a majority of respondents were against mandatory vaccinations for gym staff and personal trainers while also not supporting members being vaccinated for access to facilities.
About the author
Nigel Benton
Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management
Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.
With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.
Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.
In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.
He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).
In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.
As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.
Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.
His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.
His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.
Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.
Read more from this author
Related Articles
30th September 2021 - NSW gyms set to reopen but indoor aquatic facilities to stay closed until December
30th September 2021 - FITREC gives fitness professionals option to show that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19
26th September 2021 - Fitness Australia introduces Workplace Wellbeing Professional
21st September 2021 - Apple adds group exercise option to Fitness+ platform
16th September 2021 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie highlights that gyms and fitness centres are part of the COVID solution
14th September 2021 - Gym accessory ‘The Barbell Jack’ launches into Australian fitness market
14th September 2021 - Fitness Australia’s Barrie Elvish ‘perplexed’ by ongoing restrictions on operation of exercise facilities in regional Victoria
12th September 2021 - How confident can fitness businesses be in AI predictions?
9th September 2021 - New Les Mills Global Fitness Report suggests members ready to ‘flock’ back to facilities
8th September 2021 - Fitness Australia survey reveals NSW members against vaccine passports and staff vaccinations
7th September 2021 - Fitness Australia launches dedicated Aqua Exercise Instructor registration
3rd September 2021 - World Economic Forum study identifies fitness as the most popular physical activity globally
30th August 2021 - Jetts Fitness and Fitness Playground named among Best Places to work in Australia
19th August 2021 - Fitness clubs shut and with no ‘take away’ for 30% of days since March 2020
18th August 2021 - Global Health & Fitness Alliance sets out to prove the exercise industry’s value to society
17th August 2021 - New ClubIntel research shows fitness consumers demanding highly personalised service
29th July 2021 - Fitness Australia advises of concessions achieved for gym reopenings
21st July 2021 - Fitness Australia calls for ‘JobKeeper 2.0’ as Coronavirus lockdowns widen
6th July 2021 - Fitness Australia registered members gain access to Bupa health fund benefits
3rd July 2021 - Fitness Australia invites input on industry trends survey
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.