NAC To Remain Open, Despite New State Orders

NEWTOWN, PA — The owner of the Newtown Athletic Club says he plans to stay open despite Gov. Tom Wolf's suspension order on gyms set to take effect Saturday.

Jim Worthington, owner of Newtown Athletic Club and Horsham Athletic Club, said in a statement on Facebook that his gyms have had no identified community spread out of more than 200,000 check-ins.

"We believe that we are doing more service to our community if we remain available for them to continue their exercise and healthy lifestyle regimes – which in the end, according to the science, are among the best lines of defense against COVID-19," he said.

Gov. Wolf, who tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday, announced several temporary mitigation measures on Thursday including closing indoor dining and gyms, limiting gatherings and suspending youth sports through Jan. 4.

Theaters, entertainment venues, bowling alleys and private clubs are also being asked to suspend indoor operations. Other restrictions include a 50 percent occupancy rate for retail businesses, a limit on indoor gatherings to 10 people and limiting outdoor gatherings to 50 people.

Pennsylvania reported 258 new deaths from COVID-19 on Thursday, breaking the record of 220 deaths set the day prior.

It's not clear how the state plans to enforce the gym closure order. Patch has reached out to state health officials for clarification on potential repercussions.

Transcend Fitness, which defied a state shutdown order in May, announced in a Facebook post that it would also remain open.

NAC's Facebook announcement drew more than 600 comments as of Friday morning, expressing varying opinions on the move to stay open.