Singapore's Coronavirus easing will not include gyms and sport facilities

Singapore’s Coronavirus easing will not include gyms and sport facilities

May 27, 2020

The Singapore Government's move to ease the nation's Coronavirus lockdown from 2nd June will not include the reopening of fitness clubs and gyms along with indoor and outdoor sport and recreation facilities.

With the nation to enter Phase 1 of country's 'post-circuit breaker' period from next week, confirmation that exercise and sport facilities would not be included in the easing was advised by national sport agency Sport Singapore (SportSG).

As reported by the Straits Times, the move is certain to disappoint fitness and sports industry stakeholders, many of whom have been hit financially because of closures during the circuit breaker period from 7th April.

Industry representatives had been hopeful of being included in the Phase 1 easing following a dialogue with Singapore Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu last week during which they appealed for the sector to be allowed to reopen.

However, fitness operators may be granted access to their business facilities to record content for online classes. They will have to seek the approval of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the number of employees will also be limited.

From 2nd June, Singapore will gradually restart its economy in three phases over the next several months and will move from Phase 1 to the next stage if community transmission rates remain "low and stable" and the dormitory situation remains under control, said the Government on Tuesday.

Sports facilities will gradually be allowed to reopen in Phase 2, which will come at least four weeks after the end of the circuit breaker.

During this period, measures will be in place to limit group sizes and minimise interactions to avoid the risk of community transmissions.

SportSG advised that activities that involve deliberate body contact between participants may be deferred until it is deemed less risky.

While ActiveSG sports facilities will remain closed to the public in Phase 1, tenants at ActiveSG sports centres such as food and beverage outlets, pharmacies, hair salons and childcare centres will remain open to the public, but F&B outlets will offer only takeaway services.

While facilities will remain closed, Singaporeans are being encouraged to remain active and fit through functional exercises done at home.

26th May 2020 - FitnessSG makes ExPRO a virtual event

17th May 2020 - Singapore Government commits to enhanced network of urban parks

8th May 2020 - World Rugby releases guidelines for top level matches to be held in closed stadiums

8th April 2020 - Sport Singapore shares guidelines on sport and physical activity restrictions during COVID-19

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

20th March 2020 - Virgin Active closes Singapore gym after two positive Coronavirus tests

6th March 2020 - Singapore FIT Summit postponed from April to August

7th February 2020 - FIT Summit growth sees event expand in second year with new awards program

1st February 2020 - Fitness First Singapore advises that claims of club closures due to Coronavirus are ‘bogus’

21st January 2020 - Pure Fitness Suntec City features Fuze training concept

23rd December 2019 - TFX opens Singapore’s largest fitness centre on Raffles Boulevard

29th November 2019 - New Chief Executive named for Singapore Sports Hub

15th October 2019 - Plus Fitness opens their first gym in Singapore

28th September 2019 - FIBO to introduce new South East Asia event in Singapore

14th September 2019 - World-first sees Fitbit integration into Singapore’s public health program

7th August 2019 - Event series to ‘connect Asia’s fitness industry’

18th July 2019 - Singapore medical conference focuses on exercise and nutrition as alternatives to medication

12th July 2019 - Singapore’s True Group opening three new clubs over four-month period

26th June 2019 - ExPRO ready to present Singapore’s biggest ever fitness convention

27th April 2019 - California Fitness liquidators’ report shows chain operated at a loss for more than three years

17th January 2019 - New body to represent Singapore’s fitness industry

28th April 2014 - Sport Singapore to relaunch aquatic and recreation centres as ‘lifestyle’ facilities

22nd March 2014 - Singapore Sports Council to relaunch as Sport Singapore

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.