GYMS and fitness centres are expected to resume operations by the middle of the month now that Putrajaya has decided to lift most movement restrictions starting on June 10.

The date for re-opening and the new standard operating procedure (SOP) for gym operators are expected to be announced by the Youth and Sports Ministry early this week.

Among the new rules are that workout sessions must be pre-booked, no physical contact is allowed and that only a limited number of individuals are allowed in at one time.

Some owners told The Malaysian Insight that they will start re-opening their facilities for sanitisation on June 10 while waiting for official word from the ministry to resume operations.

Daniel Fitri, co-owner of Crossfit Pahlawan fitness centre, said the rules and SOP had been proposed by a grouping of more than 100 owners and operators in consultation with the ministry.

“The final list of rules and the official date when we can re-open will be made known soon,” said Daniel, who was involved in the proposal and discussions with the government.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday announced the lifting of more restrictions that had come into effect with the movement control order on March 18 to curb coronavirus transmissions.

The conditional movement control order that has been in place since May 4 will now be replaced with the recovery movement control order (RMCO) from June 10 to August 31.

The RMCO has allowed more sporting and recreational activities to resume but the ban remains on contact sports such as football, rugby and basketball.

Under the RMCO, businesses that require close physical contact such as barbers and hair salons have been allowed.

An operator in Shah Alam, Shazwan Shamsuddin, said since barbers will be allowed to resume, it is a matter of time before Putrajaya allowed gyms to open again this month.

“But under the new SOP, our gym will only allow a maximum of 10 people in at one time and we will not be accepting walk-ins,” said Shazwan, who runs Ongkai Fitness Gym.

“Our members have already been informed that they have to book their sessions ahead of time and that they can only come in during their appointed session.

“On June 10, we will be re-opening our facility to start making changes to adhere to the SOP.”

Daniel said the proposed SOP calls for individuals to be spaced between 3m and 5m apart for weight or body-weight training.

Machines such as treadmills and exercise bikes have to be placed 2.5m apart, Daniel said.

“We will also have to check the temperature of everyone who enters and those above 37.49 degrees Celsius will be denied entry. Hand sanitisers will also be provided.”

The SOP also calls for equipment and facilities to be sanitised three times per day.

The number of persons inside at a time will vary according to the size of each facility and the standard for this will be announced by the ministry. – June 8, 2020.