11 Aug 2020
Spanish gyms win legal fight to reopen after second lockdown
BY Tom Walker
Health clubs and gyms in Catalonia have reopened their doors once for a second time, following a successful legal battle against the local government.
Gyms across Spain were initally given the go-ahead to open in early June, following the first COVID-19 lockdown – with each of the country's region implementing a slightly different timetable.
However, fears of a second wave of infections led many local governments to introduce limits on social activities, and on 17 July, the Catalan government ruled that all gyms in Barcelona and its metropolitan area should close again.
Gym and indoor sports facility operators in the area immediately brought a legal challenge against the ruling and sought to reverse the decision.
They took their battle to the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (SCJC) – which has backed their claim.
Gyms, studio operators and indoor sport facilities have now been able to reopen their sites, provided all existing social distancing and hygiene measures are adhered to.
The successful legal action was led by the Union of Sports Federations of Catalonia (Ufec), Indescat, Gestiona, Adecaf, the Catalan Swimming Federation and the Association of Swimming Clubs.
• To read the full resolution of the SCJC (in Spanish), click here.
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