With Tuesday’s announcement that fitness facilities are again allowed to open as of Jan. 20, many local gyms and fitness centres, both city-owned and private, were back in action on Thursday.
Maple Ridge’s Club 16 and many other local private gyms were open on the first day back, and pre-booking is not being required at this time.
A public health order on Dec. 23 had closed fitness facilities as the COVID-19 variant Omicron surged. Some gyms around the province remained open in defiance of the restrictions. There was also a petition organized by the fitness industry in Metro Vancouver calling for an end to the closures, that had more than 50,000 signatures.
READ ALSO: B.C. fitness facilities call for COVID-19 closures to be ended
The Maple Ridge Leisure Centre’s fitness room has reopened with modified hours. The fitness centre will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends.
However, the facility will be closed daily from 1-3 p.m. to allow for cleaning and ventilation.
For information see mapleridge.ca.
The Pitt Meadows Recreation Centre re-opened for its regular hours of 6 a.m. to 9:30 on weekdays, and weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.. They are having fitness centre, group fitness and gymnasium use.
For more information see pittmeadows.ca/covid19
There are restrictions at all facilities to comply with public health orders. There will be occupancy limits based on the need for social distancing, and proof of vaccination required. Masking is mandatory for entry. During exercise it will not be required, but is encouraged.
Group fitness classes are also open at facilities, but gyms are generally asking participants to book ahead of time, to observe occupancy limits.
READ ALSO: Positive COVID tests drop to 326 in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
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