Gym opens in Quebec City despite public health regulations and concerns

"I decided to open because the gyms have been forgotten by the government," said Daniel Marino, owner of Mega Fitness Gym in Quebec City.

The fitness industry has been hit particularly hard by the pandemic and Marino feels he can't wait around any longer. The Mega Fitness Gym will open Tuesday morning, defying the public health regulations currently in place for the pandemic.

The gym reopened at 5:30 a.m. and already fifty people showed up to take advantage of the bold decision.

"I've been open for 25 years and it's been super clean for 25 years, and we've had bottles to disinfect machines for years," said Marino, who says he cannot understand why gyms are not allowed to reopen even after the provincial government allowed for indoor gatherings of up to 50 people starting June 22.

Dr. Horacio Arruda, Quebec's director of public health, assured that updates regarding fitness centres will soon be made. “All the protocols must be discussed with the industry, in particular for the question of disinfection. (...) I encourage people to respect the instructions and in the coming days there will be more and more areas open but the criteria must be well respected, " said Dr. Arruda.

Daniel Marino said he is well aware that such a decision will expose him to a statement of offence for defying public health regulations however the he said he does not feel guilty either. "What is worse? Receive a statement of offence or go bankrupt? We lose money every day. I'm not putting my customers at risk right now, ”said Marino.