Guwahati: With the Assam Government finally announcing the re-opening of gymnasiums after a lengthy period of closure amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown, the ailing fitness industry in the state is expected to receive a much-needed shot in the arm.
Much to the relief of the gym owners, gymgoers, as well as fitness trainers across the state, Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today confirmed that gymnasiums and yoga centers shall indeed be allowed to re-open in accordance with the Centre's guidelines in its 'Unlock 3.0' directive. However, the gyms will be opened on alternate days only, in accordance with the Government's "shops-on-one-side-of-the-street" rule.
"Now, the challenge will be to run the gyms in accordance with Government-prescribed guidelines. We have to acquaint the clients with the new protocol, which will be an additional challenge. Moreover, we have to go easy on the high-intensity exercises as the clients shall have to don masks while exercising. Despite all these challenges, we are grateful to the Government. However, the opening of gyms on alternate days will be difficult. Instead, we feel that they should open gyms for 5 days in a week -- this would be more beneficial to the owners and clients both", Pulak Biswas, a trainer from Guwahati, told The Sentinel Digital.
"For 4-5 months gyms have been closed; it was difficult for us trainers as we have to pay rent and our livelihood. It was a difficult period for many of us as sources of income dried up. Thus, this is a welcome move", Parikshit Hazarika, another trainer from the city, shared.
Announcing the unlock measures on July 30 last, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared that gyms and yoga institutes will be allowed to operate from August 5 and there will be an end to the night curfew. Under Unlock 3.0, the government has allowed more business to open up – and this includes the multi-crore fitness industry that has been lying in a crumpled heap ever since the series of lockdowns kicked in.