Representative body, EuropeActive, has today (11 May 2020), published new standards for gym operators advising them on operating gyms and health clubs under COVID-19.

Called Summary of current recommended practices for operating under Covid-19 restrictions, the document is designed to be used in conjunction with local laws and guidelines.

EuropeActive says: "This is general guidance only for consideration by operators when re-opening their facility...national conditions may apply and alter this guidance."

The standards assume that a number of areas of clubs will not be open or operating, including swimming pools, saunas, spa areas and outside activities and that cafés and changing rooms will also be closed.

Guidelines include the recommendation that operators should use a booking system to control access to the cub to ensure there is no over-crowding or queuing and that space allocations should be calculated on allowing between 10sq m and 15sq m per person.

EuropeActive says members must be encouraged to take responsibility, by adhering to rules as laid out and if they are working with a PT to "always respect physical distancing and for added safety of the PT to consider wearing a face mask."

More generally, EuropeActive works with the EU on standards for fitness centre operations. This work falls under EU standard EN17229:2019.

The new COVID-19 operating standard has been built off the back of EN17229:2019, meaning this EU standard remains applicable in the context of the new guidance.

The COVID-19 operating standard covers the operational and managerial procedures for offering and delivering services in facilities that are open to the public. EuropeActive deals with other areas of operations, such as the up-skilling and training of staff in a separate guidance paper.

You can read the new standards here.