IFBB-Philippines president Rowena Walters
MANILA – A strong and healthy body is the best defense against the deadly coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
With this on mind, the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB)-Philippines is urging the Inter-Agency Task Force for Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to reconsider its decision to exclude the fitness industry among the industries allowed to re-open and operate during the general community quarantine (GCQ).
"It is worth noting that maintaining a strong and healthy body boosts immunity which is our primary shield and armor against Covid-19 and other diseases," said IFBB-Philippines president Rowena Walters in a three-page letter to the IATF-EID dated May 1.
Thru Walters, the IFBB made an immediate appeal to "allow the fitness industry to operate during the general community quarantine under strict measures and protocols in hygiene and sanitation."
"We wish to emphasize that we are not making this appeal to add to the burden of the national government and jeopardize its efforts to manage this crisis," said Walters, who is best remembered for finishing fifth overall in the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio in March 2013.
"But we make this appeal to represent the collective voice of more than 1,000 gym owners and more than 10,000 trainers and workers who were displaced due to the continued business closure," she added.
Among the proposals forwarded by the IFBB are:
--Shortening of gym hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
-- Limit of gym usage per user to a maximum of one hour;
-- Scheduling of gym users at a certain time slot/period (no walk-ins) followed by 30 minutes to an hour (depending on the size) of gym cleaning and disinfection;
-- Gyms to adopt a "No Mask and Gloves, No Workout Policy";
-- Gym personnel should wear face shields, masks and disposable gloves;
-- Thermal temperature scanning before entering the Gym;
-- Hand sanitizer and footbath before entering the Gym;
-- Gym Trainers shall observe social distancing in instructing clients;
-- No stretching and massage after workout;
-- No group classes allowed;
-- No sparring in Martial Arts and Boxing gyms allowed;
-- Gyms may install plastic screen dividers between machines/equipment, and
-- Subject to commercial availability, rapid test kit twice a month for gym user.
Walters said the IFBB is willing to sit down with the IATF, particularly with the Department of Health, to discuss the so-called "New Normal of the Fitness Industry" in the months to come while there is still no viable cure and vaccine against Covid-19. (PR)
