Oxford Gym Owner Defying Shutdown Amid Pandemic Hosts Protest

OXFORD, MA — Dozens of people took signs and protested the closure of Prime Fitness and Nutrition in Oxford, which stayed opened during the coronavirus shutdown, until last week when the town shut off water and electricity to the local gym.

Gym owner Dave Blondin opened the gym in mid-May in defiance of Gov. Charlie Baker's order that health centers remain closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Blondin appeared in Worcester Superior Court earlier this month, where a judge granted Oxford the power to shut the facility down.

Blondin has insisted that the gym should be seen as an essential business and he and some members continued to head to the gym until the locks were changed. He invited supporters to come stand with him Saturday morning. A few dozen people joined Blondin in protesting the shutdown, most of them were not wearing masks, according to photos posted to Twitter.

He has been fined $1,000 a day.

Gov. Charlie Baker has said the speed at which the state reopens depends on public health data, with at least three weeks between phases. The earliest phase three — which will include things like fitness centers, movie theaters, museums and aquariums — looks set to be July 6.

The latest coronavirus data key metrics continue to trend in the right direction. But the fall is still an unknown, and Baker and state health experts have implored people to wear face masks and practice social distancing through the summer.

Oxford Shuts Off Water, Electricity To Gym Refusing To Shut Down...

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