AusLeisure

A Fitness Australia survey of its members in NSW, has revealed that a majority of respondents are against mandatory vaccinations for gym staff and personal trainers while also not supporting members being vaccinated for access to facilities.

The results - contrary to moves by other industry sectors including aquatic facilities and swim schools, live entertainment, sport, tourism and venues - showed more than half of respondents against vaccinations and vaccine passports.

In response to two questions posed to its NSW members::

Q1.) Do you support mandated vaccination for all health club staff and personal trainers? Result: Yes: 44%, No: 56%

Q2.) Do you support mandated vaccination for all health club staff, personal trainers AND members (e.g. clients and 'gym-goers')? Result: Yes: 42%, No: 58%

Fitness Australia has not released a comment on the findings but did advise on social media “we will also be posing the same questions to our members from other regions across Australia”.

At a time when Fitness Australia is looking to build links with allied health and related sectors, the findings may be problematic.

Among all leisure industry sectors, the fitness industry would appear of have had the largest number of stakeholders who viewed the Coronavirus as a conspiracy, have advocated alternative cures and now, as this survey shows, object to vaccine passports.

As of last month, the NSW Government's reopening 'roadmap' suggested that fully vaccinated residents in Greater Sydney would be able to workout at the gym (as well as dine at restaurants and drink at bars) as of early October if 70% of NSW residents were fully vaccinated against Coronavirus.

However, NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant went on to suggest that NSW citizens could be wearing masks indoors for years and proof of vaccination may be required to enter high-risk venues, even when the state reaches the higher level of 80% vaccination coverage.

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