Omicron: Hong Kong gym goers decry ‘unjust’ closures as fitness centres and pools scramble once again to make ends meet financially

Memo sent to government from Hong Kong Fitness Industry says gyms and studios cannot survive another lockdown

Owners and coaches say another lockdown gives impression there is no end game for the city’s Covid-19 strategy

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Hong Kong’s gyms and fitness studios are closed once again amid fear of another Covid-19 wave. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 6:45am, 7 Jan 2022Updated: 3:49pm, 7 Jan 2022

Hong Kong’s gym and fitness industry pleaded with the government not to force its members to endure yet another shutdown as the threat of a Covid-19 outbreak lurks once again, according to an internal memo obtained by the Post.

The Hong Kong Fitness Industry, which represents dozens of local establishments, said businesses could not bear the financial burden of another closure and acceptance was waning amid the business community for financial relief.

As of midnight on Thursday, the new rules enforced the temporary closure of businesses such as bars, cinemas, beauty salons, gyms and massage parlours. A 6pm curfew on dine-in service at restaurants also came into effect, while local tours and “cruises to nowhere” have been suspended for two weeks.

“The closure announced for fitness centres will once again financially damage an already weakened system from previous closures,” read the memo. “The financial impact is evident with many landlords unwilling to even provide 50 per cent relief in rent as they too are fatigued with ongoing closures.