16 Mar 2020
Coronavirus: ukactive issues guidance for health and fitness sector
BY Tom Walker
Physical activity body ukactive has issued guidance and recommendations for how UK fitness operators and facilities should deal with a suspected case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
It outlines how, in the event that a staff member or customer tests positive for COVID-19 after becoming ill, Public Health England (PHE) will contact the operator to determine the risk to customers and staff, as well as to seek guidance on the actions to be taken.
*Read the guidance by clicking here*
The process could lead to the facility being closed, or subject to a deep clean as soon as practically possible before reopening.
The guidance also stresses that – as it stands (16 March 2020) – there are no actions required for health clubs in the UK to take, unless a positive COVID-19 result is confirmed among staff or members.
The document also gives a steer on possible future closures, if the outbreak in the UK reaches the levels seen in Italy and Spain.
"The industry recognises and accepts that it may be asked or instructed by PHE, or other regulatory bodies to close facilities in some circumstances," the guidance states.
"This is most likely to be to limit gatherings of people and slow/prevent contagion and infection rates among customers and staff – regardless of whether there is a specific risk caused by a customer or member of staff.
"Clearly, the industry and operators within it will comply with such requests immediately."
• To read the full ukactive guidance, click here.
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