Times Of Swaziland: PARTIAL LOCKDOWN NIGHTMARE FOR GYMS

PARTIAL LOCKDOWN NIGHTMARE FOR GYMS
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Pholsile Hlophe on 11/01/2021 08:19:00


MBABANE – It’s back to square one.
The fitness industry’s recovery from the devastating effects of the initial
lockdown has been cut short following the Acting Prime Minister Themba
Masuku’s announcement of a two weeks partial lockdown. Barely four months
after being allowed to reopen their facilities after eight months of suspension
and absolutely zero income, gym owners and fitness trainers are reliving the
depressing costs of the partial lockdown, which sought to mitigate the spread of
COVID-19, through restricting movement and banning gatherings of any sort,
including sports activities.
Gyms doors are still open only for individual and one-on-one training sessions.
This means that there would be less members and minimum time for training, like
all other businesses, they were ordered to close business at 6pm. Most of the
gyms lost over half of their members, with many still skeptical in fear of their
lives and some of these facilities are still facing financial difficulties and
struggling to pay owed rental fees that accumulated during the 2020 lockdown
period.
Decision
Fitness trainer Bongani Mthupha, who is based at the Mbabane Club, acknowledged
government’s decision to reinitiate the partial lockdown, fully cognisant of
the alarming death rate due to COVID-19-related illnesses and escalating cases.
“This is no man’s doing, but a disaster, we respect government’s decision
and value of human lives. Most of my clients prefer one-on-one home training
sessions which are safer and comfortable. We may lose business now, but we
understand that all this is meant to save lives,” said Mthupha. The Matrix Gym
Director, Skhumbuzo Mohammed, admitted that the fitness industry’s market,
like other businesses, had been distorted, but advised people to develop a
positive mindset that this would not only help them survive COVID-19 but also
speeds up recovery.
“We must learn to live with COVID-19 and observe the health guidelines. We all
need to practice extra caution in the gyms, at work and at home. People need to
exercise to prevent diseases including COVID-19,” said Mohammed.