Fitness centres latest businesses ordered to shut down in Interior Health region

Interior Health has officially ordered the closure of all fitness centres, gyms, yoga studios or “similar personal training facilities, both indoors and outdoors”.

The order was issued about 12:30 p.m. today, April 2 and takes effect immediately.

The order is from Interior Health's Chief Medical Health Officer, Sue Pollock. It's unclear if the same order is made across the province.

“Gatherings of people at these facilities constitute close personal contact, which promotes the transmission and increased spread of COVID-19,” Pollock said in a news release.

“This order enables us to communicate fairly and effectively to all operators of fitness facilities and this order is not directed at any one specific facility,” she added. “We will not speak to cases connected to specific facilities unless we determine there is a risk to the general public."

She encouraged owners and operators to look at virtual training programs as an alternative.

The order is in effect until May 30 but can be modified at any time.

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