1. Background

To contain the spread of COVID infection, lockdown was imposed, which is now being gradually relaxed in a phased manner. Gym, Yoga and physical activity being important for health & well-being, it has been decided to open yoga institutes and gymnasiums and private Sports Facilities with limited capacity. Gymnasiums, Yoga Institutes, Aerobic Centre, Zumba Centre and private Sports Facilities shall adhere to protocols and prevention measures outlined in this document to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

2. Scope

This document outlines various generic precautionary measures to be adopted in addition to specific measures to be taken at yoga institutes and gymnasiums to prevent spread of COVID-19. The guidelines aim to minimize all possible physical contacts between staff, members & visitors and maintain physical distancing and other preventive and safety measures in context of COVID-19.

3. Generic preventive measures

All Gymnasiums, Yoga Institutes, Aerobic Centre, Zumba Centre and private Sports Facilities shall comply with all health-related guideline/SOP/notification issued by the Union/State Government from time to time.

Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised not to use such facilities in closed spaces. Organizations managing the Gymnasiums, Yoga Institutes, Aerobic Centre, Zumba Centre and private Sports Facilities shall advise all members, visitors & staff accordingly.

The generic preventive measures include simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of COVID-19. These measures need to be observed by all (members, visitors & staff) in these places at all times. These include:

 

1. Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet as far as feasible.
2. Use of face covers/masks is mandatory at all times with in the premises. However, during yoga exercise or exercising in gymnasiums, as far as possible only a visor may be used. Use of mask (in particular N-95 masks) during exercise may cause difficulty in breathing
3. Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60 seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be practiced wherever feasible.
4. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involves strict practice of covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with a tissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
5. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness at the earliest to state and district helpline.
6. Spitting should be strictly prohibited.
7. Installation & use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all.

4. Specific measures to be followed include-

a. Before opening the facilities

Processes & premises redesigning including proper placement of equipments

 

1. Plan floor area based on 4m2 per person.
2. Place equipment’s, including cardio and strength machines, 6 feet apart, wherever feasible, by moving equipment to facilitate physical distancing.
3. Where available, utilize any outdoor space by relocating equipment outside.
4. Create specific pathways for entering and exiting exercise areas within closed spaces using floor or wall markings.
5. Ensure queue management, inside and outside the premises, with specific markings on the floor with a gap of 6 feet.
6. Promote card based/contactless payment.
7. For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which emphasizes that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30o C, relative humidity should be in the range of 40- 70%, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate.
8. Limit the number of staff and members within the general floor, specific workout areas and change rooms by:
   1. Restricting the number of members allowed in specified areas.
   1. Implementing ‘fitness sessions’ for particular exercise areas with requirements for members to register (ideally online) for specific sessions.

 

9. Lockers will remain in use, as long as physical distancing is maintained, must be sanitized after every use.
10. Ensure dustbins and trash cans are always covered.
11. Spas, Sauna, Steam Bath and Swimming Pool (wherever applicable) shall remain closed.

Disinfection
All areas within the premises shall be disinfected using clinically approved disinfectants. The areas
to be disinfected include but are not limited to –

 

1. All open areas used by staff and visitors.
2. Washrooms and toilets
3. Shoe baths (Members will be encouraged to carry separate workout shoes)
4. All other frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, handles etc.)
5. All equipment

Planning and Scheduling of Activities

 

1. Calculate the maximum capacity per session based on redesigned spaces. Accordingly schedule the session and inform the members.
2. Yogic Kriya(s)
   1. The practice of Yogic Kriya(s) may be avoided for the time being. Even if it is to be practiced essentially, it may be done in open spaces
   1. Guidelines for practitioners (Yoga guideline for Covid-19) issued by the Ministry of Ayush (available at: https://www.ayush.gov.in/) may also be followed
3. Group fitness rooms and classes
   1. Staggering class session times and allowing minimum of 15-30 minutes between classes to avoid overlap between members arriving and leaving. Sanitize the room after every session.
   1. Offering group fitness classes online, wherever possible
   1. Restricting the number of persons allowed per group fitness class based on the size of the room and the nature of the fitness activity.
4. Personal training
   1. Ensure 6 feet distance between personal trainer and clients during personal training sessions.
   1. Ensure sessions are tailored to include only exercises that do not require physical contact between the trainer and the clients including setup and use of equipment.
   1. Limit the number of clients per session & ensure adequate spacing amongst all clients.
   1. Utilize outdoor spaces wherever available.
5. v. For Employees:
   1. Shifts and attendance to be planned to ensure physical distancing.
   1. Housekeeping staff to be informed & trained about norms for waste management & disposal.
   1. All employees who are at higher risk i.e., older employees, pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions to take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the clients.

Availability and Management of Supplies

 

1. Appropriate personal protection gears like face covers/masks, visors, hand sanitizers etc. shall be made available by management to the members, visitors & staff
2. Provide an adequate supply of disinfectant wipes or disinfecting solutions and disposable paper towels for members/staff to wipe exercise equipment clean before and after use.
3. Ensure availability of pulse oximeters to record oxygen saturation of members prior to the exercise.

b. After opening the facilities

At the entry point

 

1. Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions.
2. Only asymptomatic persons (including staff) be allowed in the premises.
3. All persons to be allowed entry only if using face cover/masks.
4. All members, visitors and staff may consider using Aarogya Setu application for risk identification at all times inside the yoga institute/gymnasiums
5. Posters/standees on preventive measures about COVID-19 to be displayed prominently. Audio and Video clips to spread awareness on preventive measures for COVID-19 may be regularly played, during the music for exercise.
6. Ensure minimum distance of 6 feet at all times in queues
7. Proper crowd management in the parking lots, in corridors and in elevators – duly following physical distancing norms shall be organized.
8. Staggering of members/ visitors to be done, with separate timing slots, to allow for adequate physical distancing and disinfection of premises & equipment.
9. Shoes / footwear are to be preferably taken off outside the premises where exercises are done. If needed they should be kept in separate slots for each individual / family by the persons themselves.
10. Details of check-in and checkout times of members and visitors must be recorded (name, address, and phone number)

Prior to exercising using equipment for cardio, strength training etc.

 

1. Ensure that the equipment has been disinfected, particularly the frequently touched surfaces before each use.
2. Sanitize middle finger with alcohol swab and check oxygen saturation using pulse oximeter. Those having oxygen saturation below 95% should not be allowed to exercise. Call central / state helpline / ambulance and refer such persons to the nearest health facility
3. Remove mask and wear visor as far as feasible while exercising.
4. Hand sanitizer stations must be provided near each gymnasium equipment
5. Ensure that members sanitize their hands before using gymnasium equipment

During other exercise sessions

 

1. Common exercise mats should be removed and members should preferably bring their own exercise mats which they shall take back with them.
2. In view of potential threat of spread of infection, as far as feasible recorded music/songs may be played and shouting/ laughter exercise should not be allowed.
3. Stop the exercise if you feel difficulty in breathing. Check oxygen saturation level. Those having oxygen saturation below 95% should not be allowed to continue exercise. Call central / state helpline / ambulance and refer such persons to the nearest health facility.

After exercise and in common areas

 

1. Ensure proper disposal of face covers / masks / used towels in covered bins.
2. The washrooms should be sanitized before and after use.
3. Cafeteria facility, if any within the premises, shall follow physical distancing norms at all times.
4. Cleaning and disinfection of equipment particularly frequently touched surfaces (hand rails, benches, fixtures, etc.) shall be done after each exercise session before it is used by the next member.
5. The floor cleaning shall be taken up between exercise sessions.

At the time of closure

 

1. Shower rooms and lockers/changing areas need to be properly sanitized.
2. Deep cleaning of all washrooms shall be ensured.
3. Before closure, the entire premises will be disinfected.

5. Additional precautions to be followed in case of a suspect case in the premises:

 

1. Place the ill person in a room or area where they are isolated from others.
2. Provide a mask/face cover till such time he/she is examined by a doctor.
3. Immediately inform the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) or call the state or district helpline.
4. A risk assessment will be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district Rapid Response Team /treating physician) and accordingly further action be initiated regarding management of case, his/her contacts and need for disinfection.
5. Disinfection of the premises to be taken up if the person is found positive.

6. Use of Arogya Setu app:

Use of Aarogya Setu may continue on best effort basis on compatible mobile phones. This will facilitate timely provision of medical attention to those individuals who are at risk.