Category: News

• People above 65 years and those with comorbidities are advised against using gyms in closed spaces.
• Face Mask mandatory at all times.
• Recommends using Aarogya Setu App.
• Yoga or gym floor should have space of four metres per person.
• Equipment should be kept six feet apart.
• Restriction on the number of people based on the size of the room.

New guidelines have been released for yoga institutes and gyms across the country that are allowed to reopen from Wednesday.

The guidelines seek to minimise physical contact between staff and visitors while specifically advising people above 65 years and those with comorbidities against using gyms in closed spaces.

The government has allowed the opening of yoga institutes and gymnasiums from August 5 as part of the ‘Unlock 3’ phase. The guideline clearly states that in the case of gyms, spas, sauna, steam bath and swimming pools would continue to remain closed.

Some of the Key Points in the Guidelines for Gyms and Yoga Institutes:

• People above 65 years, people with co-morbidities and pregnant women have been asked not to use gyms in closed spaces.
• Face cover or mask must be made mandatory at all times on the premises. However, during exercising, only a visor may be used as a mask may make breathing difficult.
• The guideline recommends the use of Aarogya Setu App.
• The yoga or gym floor should have space of four metres per person.
• Equipment should be kept 6 feet apart or, if possible, they should be kept outdoors.
• Specific pathways should be created for entering and exiting the building with proper direction markings on the walls.
• The temperature setting should be in the range of 24-30 degree Celsius with an intake of fresh air as much as possible.
• Sessions should be staggered with a minimum gap of 15-30 minutes between classes to avoid overlap between members arriving and leaving.
• Restricting the number of people per group in a fitness class should be based on the size of the room and the nature of the activity.

The guidelines released by the Health Ministry also mentions that gates to the buildings should have sanitizer dispensers and thermal screening devices.