"Restaurants and Cafes Allowed, but Only Sports Facilities Neglected" Gym Owners Complain

"Indoor Sports Facilities Record 14% Sales Compared to Last Year... Impact Severe"
"Appeal for Scientific Policies Considering Realistic Situations" Urged in Blue House Petition

Exercise equipment inside a gym in Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 4th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Amid the enforcement of gathering bans to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), some indoor sports facility owners, including gyms, have come forward urging for "fair quarantine policies." They pointed out issues of fairness, noting that different standards are applied to sports facilities compared to restaurants, cafes, and bathhouses, despite all being indoor spaces.

A petition titled "Limited and flexible operation of indoor sports facilities is necessary in the COVID era," posted on the Blue House National Petition Board, had received over 170,000 endorsements as of 5 p.m. on the 4th.

The petitioner, identifying themselves as the "Pilates & Fitness Business Association (PIBA)," stated, "On behalf of hundreds of indoor sports business representatives and thousands of instructors, we urge the government to implement 'effective' policies."

They added, "This petition is not merely to protect our livelihoods; we sincerely hope that everyone follows the national guidelines so that COVID ends as soon as possible, and we are cooperating with quarantine measures to the fullest."

They explained, "The impact of social distancing on indoor sports facilities is unimaginably severe. As of November 2020, small business sales compared to the same period last year were 63% in Seoul and 75% nationwide, with the sports industry average sales at 21%, marking the worst record. Among these, indoor sports facilities account for only about 14%."

The 'Pilates & Fitness Business Association' posted a national petition last month urging the government to adopt a policy of limited flexible operation of indoor sports facilities. / Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board Capture

The petitioner urged, "We demand a careful and scientific policy based on realistic circumstances and prior research studies, rather than a blanket 'complete ban on all indoor sports businesses' without any standards."

They also pointed out fairness issues regarding business restrictions such as gathering bans. They said, "Restaurants, cafes, and bathhouses are allowed to operate partially, while only sports facilities are held to strict standards. The current quarantine policy for indoor sports facilities is one-dimensional and lacks common criteria. As fellow citizens, we cannot help but view this as a highly discriminatory and openly exclusionary policy."

In fact, indoor sports facilities such as gyms and Pilates studios have suffered significant damage due to strict social distancing measures. Under the current social distancing level 2.5 or higher, gym operations are completely prohibited.

The social distancing measures for the metropolitan area at level 2.5 and non-metropolitan areas at level 2, which began on December 8 last year and were scheduled to end on the 3rd, have been extended for two more weeks until the 17th. This means the business ban on gyms and some sports facilities has lasted for 41 days.

Representatives from the Korea Fitness Managers Association and the Health Gym Owners' Group held a press conference and shaved their heads in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 16th of last month. / Photo by Yonhap News

As a result, some workers in the sports industry have voiced their hardships. The Korea Fitness Managers Association and the Gym Owners' Association held head-shaving protests on November 16 at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and on November 18 in front of the Gyeonggi Provincial Office, demanding at least limited reopening to secure their right to livelihood.

On the 30th of last month, 153 PIBA-affiliated business owners filed a lawsuit against the government seeking damages of 5 million won per person, totaling approximately 765 million won.

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