"Removing Masks and Sharing Exercise Equipment" Indoor Fitness Facilities Raise Infection Concerns

Confirmed Case at Fitness Club in Jungnang-gu, Seoul Did Not Wear Mask While Exercising
Indoor Exercise Facilities Show Weak Compliance with Hygiene and Quarantine Guidelines...Concerns Over Cluster Infection
Experts "Need to Pay Special Attention to Quarantine in Group Facilities"

On the afternoon of April 21, members were exercising at a gym located in Dangsan-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Concerns about infections in indoor exercise facilities are growing as a confirmed case of COVID-19 has occurred at a fitness club in Jungnang-gu, Seoul.

The government has designated indoor exercise facilities as high-risk facilities along with clubs and entertainment bars, where mass infection concerns are high, and is strengthening quarantine measures. However, there are criticisms that it is difficult to comply with quarantine guidelines due to the nature of exercise facilities.

Experts emphasized that compliance with hygiene and quarantine guidelines is essential for high-risk facilities with a high risk of mass infection.

On the 15th, it was revealed that three people in their 20s who used a fitness club located in Jungnang-gu tested positive for COVID-19. The confirmed cases, Jungnang-gu patient number 24 (26 years old) and patient number 25 (26 years old), were found to have used the facility on the morning of the 9th from 9:40 AM to 11:00 AM without wearing masks.

The third confirmed case, patient number 28, came into contact with patient number 24 while exercising at the same time.

Patient number 28 also used a fitness club near Dangsan Station and was found to have removed their mask while running on a treadmill at that club. It has been identified that about 200 people exercised at the Jungnang-gu health club at the same time as these three confirmed cases.

As a result, concerns about mass infections are increasing, especially in indoor exercise facilities. Since breathing becomes heavy during exercise, it is difficult to strictly follow basic quarantine guidelines such as wearing masks. Moreover, if hygiene is not thoroughly maintained, such as sharing exercise equipment contaminated with droplets or sweat from other users, the possibility of infectious disease spread increases significantly.

People doing Pilates. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. / Photo by Yonhap News

A man in his 20s, A, who attends a yoga academy, said, "Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the academy has been keeping visitor logs, and hand sanitizers are provided at the entrance. Masks are always worn during exercise," but added, "However, the academy does not check whether everyone sanitizes their hands, nor do they take temperatures separately."

A said, "When I get thirsty during exercise, I sometimes briefly take off my mask to drink water. When classes are crowded, the space is narrow, so people have to sit close to each other during the class," adding, "After exercising, we are encouraged to spray disinfectant and clean used equipment like yoga mats or yoga rings, but this depends on the individual. It would be great if everyone followed the guidelines, but since it’s impossible to check everything, it feels a bit uneasy."

B (27), an instructor who runs a Pilates academy in Incheon, said, "Classes are only conducted when both instructors and members are wearing masks. We also keep spare masks at the desk for members who might forget theirs," adding, "Wearing a mask during exercise makes breathing harder and causes more sweating, so we take breaks during classes."

He continued, "We send text messages to members asking them to follow quarantine guidelines, and since everyone is cautious, the center has been operating without major issues so far. Although disinfecting used equipment is cumbersome, it’s a situation where we can’t skip it, so we disinfect every session. Also, to maintain social distancing, group classes that used to have a 4:1 ratio have reduced the number of participants."

On March 23rd, a user at a gym entrance in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, is looking at a notice attached to the door stating that the facility is closed in accordance with government policy. Photo is unrelated to the article content. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Experts emphasized that compliance with quarantine guidelines is essential in high-risk facilities with concerns about mass infections.

Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 17th, "Indoor exercise facilities have always been places of concern for infection since the COVID-19 outbreak, as seen in the mass infection case at a Zumba dance academy in Cheonan," adding, "When many people exercise in a confined space, it is difficult to maintain social distancing, and sharing exercise equipment increases the risk of droplet infection."

He continued, "If hygiene management is not thorough, mass infections can occur at any time. Wearing masks cannot be emphasized enough. Since indoor exercise facilities have been designated as high-risk by the government, more effort must be made to comply with quarantine guidelines."

Meanwhile, the government decided on the 15th to indefinitely postpone strengthening quarantine measures in the metropolitan area until the daily number of new COVID-19 cases falls to single digits. Additionally, the government plans to quickly identify and proactively manage vulnerable facilities where compliance with quarantine rules is difficult.

The eight types of high-risk facilities currently designated by the government are Δkaraoke rooms Δentertainment bars Δemotional bars Δcolatecs Δhunting pochas Δdanran bars Δindoor standing concert halls Δindoor group exercise facilities. Academies and PC rooms have also been added to the list of recommended operation restrictions, and additional candidates under consideration include lunch restaurants known as hambas, religious facilities, and construction sites, which are considered blind spots.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.