Gyms In Philadelphia Set To Reopen Next Week

PHILADELPHIA—Officials with the Department of Public Health announced Thursday that gyms in Philadelphia will be able to reopen on Monday, July 20.

Due to the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19 in indoor gyms, they will be required to follow strict guidelines for safe reopening, city officials stressed.

Among the new rules, gyms will be required to have everyone in the building masked and maintain a six-foot distance throughout their visit.

Classes will be required to have fewer than 10 people, and outdoor exercise is encouraged. The Health Department will be conducting proactive inspections, as well as inspections in response to complaints. These inspections will be unscheduled and unannounced.

City officials said that if people are not masked during an inspection, the gym will be closed.

If the spread of COVID is identified in a gym, it will be closed as well.

Gyms will be notified of the new requirements and inspections by letter, city officials said. The Health Department’s recommendation to gym-goers is if you find it difficult to exercise with a mask on, don’t go to the gym; your actions could shut down the entire gym, they said.