The corona virus and the measures taken by the Federal Council and the cantons to prevent its spread continue to severely restrict activities in the health and fitness industry. This hits both the providers and the athletes hard. But we can all only find a way out of the pandemic together.
Lifting of all corona measures from February 17 2022!
On Wednesday, February 16, 2022, the Federal Council announced as part of the COVID-19 pandemic that all corona measures in Swiss fitness and health centers will be lifted from Thursday, February 17, 2022. Our previous protection concept is no longer valid from Thursday, February 17, 2022. At this point we would like to mention that it will also be important in the future to maintain the existing safety standards and hygiene precautions in order to continue to offer all customers a safe stay with you.
The currently applicable measures and regulations of the BAG can be found here.
You can find the current measures and regulations of the cantons here.
Corona compensation and subsidies
Provisions from Decembre 20 2021
On Friday, December 17rd, 2021, as part of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Council announced that, among other things, further measures will be introduced in the fitness industry compared to the regulation from December 6th, 2021. swiss active – CI Fitness Switzerland provides the officially valid protection concept for the fitness industry, which was created and checked for plausibility in cooperation with the BAG and will come into force on December 20th, 2021.
The currently applicable measures and regulations of the BAG can be found here.
You can find the current measures and regulations of the cantons here.
Frequently asked questions about the protection concept
Are certificates sufficient to allow people to enter the fitness facilities (where 2G / 2G + applies) and are therefore treated as equivalent to a vaccinated or recovered certificate?
Yes, however, such persons must wear a mask even if access is restricted to 2G + (see explanations on the amendment of December 17th, 21st to Art. 3a (3) Covid-19 Ordinance, special situation, which comes into force on January 10th, 22nd as well Art. 32a)
Are these exception certificates marked as “exception certificates” during the inspection and therefore clearly indicate that someone has a medical certificate and has therefore not been vaccinated and not tested?
No.
Provisions from Decembre 06 2021
On Friday, December 3rd, 2021, as part of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Council announced that, among other things, further measures will be introduced in the fitness industry compared to the regulation from September 13th, 2021. swiss active – CI Fitness Switzerland provides the officially valid protection concept for the fitness industry, which was created and checked for plausibility in cooperation with the BAG and will come into force on December 6th, 2021.
The currently applicable measures and regulations of the BAG can be found here.
You can find the current measures and regulations of the cantons here.
Frequently asked questions about the protection concept
Can a fitness center voluntarily switch to 2G and thereby remove the full mask requirement in the center?
If a fitness center introduces 2G, the mask can be dispensed with in the entire center (including, for example, in the entrance area, in the cloakrooms and on the way from the cloakroom to the fitness equipment).
If the 3G regulation applies in the fitness center, the mask may only be removed when exercising the sporting activity (especially on the fitness equipment). If you are not doing any sporting activity, you have to wear a mask.
The contact details must be collected by the fitness operator for both 2G and 3G.
How is the mask and certificate requirement of your own employees handled?
The employer’s specifications apply to employees of the fitness center. The employer must ensure adequate protection. In addition, there is a mask requirement in the work area, so employees must wear a mask, even if customers in the center do not have to wear a mask with a 2G regulation.
An employee who does not have a certificate may NOT take off the mask during training!
Provisions from September 13 2021
On Wednesday, September 8th, 2021, as part of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Council announced that the COVID certificate will be introduced in the fitness industry from September 13th, 2021. swiss active – CI Fitness Switzerland provides the officially valid protection concept for the fitness industry, which was drawn up and checked for plausibility in cooperation with the BAG and will come into force on September 13, 2021.
The currently applicable measures and regulations of the BAG can be found here.
Frequently asked questions about the protection concept
Are group courses possible without a Covid certificate?
Group fitness courses in a separate room (separate entrance) with a maximum of 30 people and a permanent group are permitted without a certificate. These participants and instructors do not need to wear a mask during the course.
Can the Covid certificate be deposited with the fitness operator?
With the customer’s consent, only the period of validity of the evidence and the date of verification are stored. To do this, the customer must be ready to make this data visible to customer service. The Covid certificate must be fully checked once, after which automatic access counts until the certificate expires. The center is also obliged to record when the person presented their certificate and which employee carried out the check.
The member is also responsible for the subsequent training courses to be able to present the certificate at any time and to be able to prove his / her identity with a suitable proof of identity (with photo).
What happens if a customer cannot show their Covid certificate during a check in the fitness center?
If a customer in the center cannot show his certificate directly during an inspection, either the reception / entrance can give the inspector an insight into the customer’s certificate or the customer must provide proof immediately (e.g. mobile phone in the cloakroom, bag, etc. ).
How is it handled with the employees in the center who are in direct contact with customers?
Employees can voluntarily present the Covid certificate to their employer. If you present the Covid certificate, no further restrictions apply to them. If the employee does not have a Covid certificate or does not want to present the Covid certificate to the employer, the protection and hygiene rules as well as the mask requirement apply to him.
How is it handled with the employees in the center who are not in direct customer contact?
If the employee has no contact with customers, it is up to the operator to decide how the situation is handled. This can be compared to a “normal” office job. However, the Federal Council recommends compulsory Covid certification here too.
Is a Covid certificate mandatory in personal training?
In the case of personal training outside of a fitness center (e.g. in a separate room), the trainer and the customer are not required to have a Covid certificate. However, if the personal training takes place in a fitness center, a Covid certificate is required.
Do recovered people have to show a Covid certificate to enter a fitness center?
Recovered people need a Covid certificate to be able to train in a fitness center. A doctor’s certificate or the like is not enough for entry into the fitness center.
Is a foreign Covid certificate sufficient for entry into a fitness center?
People with a foreign Covid certificate must register with the relevant canton with their certificate and request a Swiss Covid certificate. Entry to a fitness center is only possible with a Swiss Covid certificate.
Do the same rules apply in areas such as wellness or private spa as in group fitness?
No, in wellness facilities and the like, a certificate is required without exception.
Is there a certificate requirement for attending therapeutic offers?
In many fitness facilities there are therapeutic offers (medical massage, MTT …), some of which are also carried out by external service providers. According to the ordinance, these offers are exempt from the certificate requirement. A mask is required for these people.
Can a group fitness course leader without a certificate train a group of less than 30 people without a mask?
This is basically the responsibility of the employer. However, it should be noted that if the course leader leads several such groups of 30, he is not a permanent group. It would be irresponsible if this person led x such groups without a certificate and without a mask. Our recommendation: certificate or mask.
How can we deal with exceptions such as pregnant people or people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons?
People who cannot vaccinate for medical reasons still need a certificate (= testing, which will continue to be paid for). People who have to go to a fitness center for medical reasons are required to wear a mask.
How should a studio react if an external physiotherapy, massage or consultation is rented in the studio itself?
As soon as there is a mix of customers, customers of external systems are subject to a permanent mask requirement, unless they can produce a certificate. This applies to the reception, the cloakrooms as well as training on a training area.
What about people who are vaccinated but do not have an EU or CH Covid certificate?
People who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved in Switzerland must report to the relevant canton and apply for a CH certificate. So the vaccines Pfizer / Moderna after 2 vaccinations, Johnson after 22 days, after the 1st vaccination. UK with AstraZeneca, for example, are then not recognized. They have to test … until the UK is also recognized by the EU, then CH takes over.
How is the current handling of foreign certificates?
I was vaccinated abroad. How do I get the Covid certificate?
Do you already have an “EU Digital COVID Certificate” or a certificate that is compatible with the “EU Digital COVID Certificate”? Then you do not have to apply for a Swiss Covid certificate. These certificates are recognized in Switzerland.
Have you been vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA)?
You can apply for a Swiss Covid Certificate if you have been vaccinated with one of the following vaccines:
- Comirnaty® / BNT162b2 / Tozinameran (Pfizer / BioNTech)
- Spikevax® / mRNA-1273 / COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna)
- Vaxzevria® / AZD1222 / Covishield ™ (AstraZeneca)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
The prerequisite for this is that you live in Switzerland, are staying in Switzerland or intend to enter Switzerland. To do this, you must be able to provide sufficient evidence of the vaccination carried out abroad and your stay in Switzerland, as well as be able to identify yourself.
Application
You can apply for the Covid Certificate online via the National Covid Certificate Application Office. The respective canton in which you live or where you are temporarily staying will then take care of issuing the certificate.
More information can be found here.
Provisions from 26 June 2021
Last Wednesday, June 23, 2021, the Federal Council announced further easing steps in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fitness operators are also affected by the announced easing steps. CI Fitness Switzerland provides the officially valid protection concept for the fitness industry, which was created and checked for plausibility in cooperation with the BAG and will come into force on June 26th.
The currently applicable measures and regulations of the BAG can be found here.
Provisions from 31 May 2021
Last Wednesday, May 26, 2021, the Federal Council announced further easing of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fitness operators are also affected by the announced easing steps. CI Fitness Switzerland provides the officially valid protection concept for the fitness industry, which was created and checked for plausibility in cooperation with the BAG.
The currently applicable measures and regulations of the BAG can be found here.
Provisions from 19 April 2021
From April 19, 2021, fitness operations will be permitted again, subject to compliance with protective concepts. CI Fitness Switzerland provides the officially valid protection concept for the fitness industry, which was created and checked for plausibility in cooperation with the BAG.
The currently applicable measures and regulations of the BAG can be found here.
Here you can find the press release from CI Fitness Switzerland on the Federal Council decision of April 14, 2021!
Frequently asked questions about the protection concept
May group fitness be offered again? Which specifications must be observed?
In principle, you are allowed to do group fitness with a maximum of 15 people (including an instructor) and with a safety distance of 1.5 meters. It is the responsibility of the course instructors to ensure that there is a distance of 1.5 meters between the individual participants. (E.g. with markings in space). Another important factor is that the course hours are separated in time, as the participants are not allowed to meet when changing. The suggested time between lessons is 15 minutes.
Can endurance training be carried out without a mask?
YES, provided the following points can be complied with (quote from official regulation):
The following applies to indoor sports activities in accordance with Article 6e paragraph 1 letter b number 2 without a face mask:
- An area of at least 25 square meters must be available for each person for exclusive use or effective barriers must be installed between the individual persons.
- For a sport that does not involve any significant physical exertion and in which the allocated space is not left, the minimum area is 15 square meters per person.
- In indoor swimming pools, a water surface of 25 square meters must be available per person.
- No more than 15 people are allowed in one room.
- The room must have effective ventilation.
How do we deal with mask dispensing?
According to the information provided by the Federal Office of Public Health – BAG, visitors with mask donations must be treated in the same way as customers who do not wear masks. In other words: In a room where training is carried out without a mask, a maximum of 15 people may stay and no person may be around the person within a radius of 25m2, this means a distance from person to person of at least 5m.
What conditions apply to children and young people (2001 and younger)?
There is no numerical restriction in fitness centres for children and young people born in 2001 and younger. It should be noted that this regulation only applies if only this age group is present. They are not required to wear masks. However, as soon as adults (born in 2000 and older) are present at the same time as children and youths, the stricter regulations apply.
What applies to adults born in 2000 and older regarding the training in groups?
For persons born in 2000 the following applies: For training that takes place in groups (e.g. Zumba), there is generally a limit of 15 people per group. It is conceivable that several groups of up to 15 people (including the leader) may train outdoors (or in sufficiently large halls that allow a clear separation of the groups). Spacing between the groups must be maintained and there must be no intermingling.
Individuals exercising on equipment are not considered a group; the 15-person limit does not apply to them.
What is the capacity limit for adults born in 2000 and older?
The capacity limits must be observed for training sessions both indoors and outdoors in fitness centres. For the calculation of the maximum number of persons present, the formula “10 square metres per person” applies. If only 30 square metres of total area is available, a minimum area of 6 square metres per person applies for the calculation of the maximum number of persons present.
What is the rule regarding masks, for adults, born 2000 and older?
If the training takes place outdoors, either a face mask must be worn or the required distance (1.5 metres) must be maintained. Indoors, a face mask must always be worn and the distance maintained.
There are exceptions to this principle:
- If no face mask can be worn, 25 square metres per person must be available for exclusive use (equivalent to 5m distance from person to person, on all sides) or effective barriers must be in place. In the event that physical exertion is minimal and the space is not left (e.g. yoga, Pilates, back exercises on a mat, but not training on a weight machine…), it is sufficient if 15 square metres per person are available for exclusive use (subparagraph b). This corresponds to 4m distance from person to person, on all sides, whereby the alternative of effective barriers also exists here.
- In principle, if a person is not wearing a mask, there may be no more than 15 persons in a room. However, it is possible to separate the rooms in fitness centres in a suitable and effective manner and, for example, to offer equipment in a separate room on which a maximum of 15 people can train without a face mask, provided that the requirements are met (25 m2/person for exclusive use or effective barriers between the people so that a distance of 1.5 metres is sufficient). In other rooms, training with a mask can be carried out according to the normal guidelines. In any case, it must be ensured that all rooms have effective ventilation. The individual specifications and modalities for the occupancy of the rooms and the behaviour of the persons training must be specifically laid down in protection concepts.
Provisions from 22 December 2020
The fitness facilities according to the Dec. 18, 2020, order of the Federal Council, are to close from Tuesday, Dec. 22 to Jan. 22. Exceptions:
- Cantons with a favourable epidemiological trend can decide on facilitations, such as opening restaurants and sports facilities. In particular, a reproduction number of less than 1 and a 7-day incidence that must be below the Swiss average are decisive here.
- This is described in Art. 7 of the Regulation (pages 3/4): Art. 7 para. 2 introductory sentence and subpara. b and c, para. 3-6 – 2 A canton may provide for the opening of restaurant, bar and club establishments in accordance with Article 5a and of establishments and undertakings in the fields of culture, entertainment, leisure and sport in accordance with Article 5d and extend the opening hours in accordance with Article 5abis if the following conditions are met in the canton concerned:
b. The reproduction number is less than 1.00 for at least seven consecutive days; the data published by the FOPH are authoritative.
c. The last seven values of the seven-day moving average of laboratory-confirmed case numbers are below the Swiss average; the data published by the FOPH are authoritative.
3 In doing so, it may stipulate that restaurants, bars and clubs may remain open until no later than 23.00 hours and until no later than 01.00 hours on the night of 31 December to 1 January.
4 If the canton intends to open facilities and establishments or to extend opening hours in accordance with paragraph 2, it shall consult with neighbouring cantons. He shall inform the FOPH of his decision.
5 If the reproduction figure exceeds 1.00 on three consecutive days or if one of the conditions in accordance with paragraph 2 letters a and c is no longer fulfilled, the canton must immediately cancel the opening of facilities and establishments or the extension of opening hours in accordance with paragraph 2.
6 From 5 January 2021, in paragraph 2(b) and in paragraph 5, the reproduction figure shall be 0.90.
The current measures and regulations of the FOPH can be found here.
Provisions from 12 December 2020
The Federal Council has decided on further measures which will also affect fitness facilities in Switzerland. The measures will apply from 12 December 2020 and will expire on 22 January 2021. All regulations can be found in the following protection concept. The revised protection concept for fitness operations was developed by the members of IG Fitness Schweiz in collaboration with the FOPH.
The current measures and regulations of the FOPH can be found here.
Provisions from 29 October 2020
At its last meeting on 28 October 2020, the Federal Council determined further measures based on the current situation surrounding COVID-19, which also affect fitness facilities in Switzerland. In general, masks are mandatory for customers as well as for all employees of fitness businesses! Further regulations can be found in the following protection concept. The revised protection concept for fitness operations was developed by the members of CI Fitness Switzerland in collaboration with the FOPH. You will find the new protection concept below.
The current measures and regulations of the FOPH can be found here.
Frequently asked questions about the protection concept
What applies to customers with a mask dispensation?
Clients with a mask dispensation may train on a mask-free endurance machine if they wear a mask on all routes, i.e. from the entrance to the cloakroom and from the cloakroom to the mask-free machine. Mask-free training only applies on the specially marked endurance machines. Otherwise they are not allowed to visit the studio.
Do customers with mask dispensing also not have safe distances when exercising?
Yes, even customers who have a mask dispensation must be able to ensure the necessary distance of 15m2 in the fitness centre. Unfortunately, it is currently not allowed to train closer without a mask.
Provisions from 18 October 2020
At its extraordinary meeting on 18 October 2020, the Federal Council decided on measures to slow down the further spread of the coronavirus. You will find all the latest information regarding the obligation to wear masks in fitness facilities etc. in the adapted protection concept.
The current measures and regulations of the FOPH can be found here.
The adapted protection concept for the fitness company can be found here.
Provisions from 20 June 2020
As of June 20, 2020, the minimum distance between two people has been reduced from 2 meters to 1.5 meters in view of the low number of cases. As with the 2-metre rule, however, the new minimum distance can also be undercut if hygiene masks are worn or partitions are present. If these protective measures cannot be implemented in the fitness centre either, the contact details of the persons participating must be recorded. This ensures that contacts can be traced (contact tracing) in the event of a positive case.
The relaxation of the FOPH’s measures can be found here.
You can find the adapted protection concept here.
As of June 19, 2020, the “special situation” applies. This places the main responsibility for preventing and managing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases on the cantons. In the special situation, however, the Federal Council still has the authority to order certain measures listed exhaustively in the law, which normally fall within the competence of the cantons, after consulting the cantons themselves. In a special situation, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) coordinates federal measures. Enforcement remains with the cantons.
You can find more informationhere.
Provisions from 6 June 2020
Fitness operations will be permitted again beginning June 6, 2020, subject to protective design. At this point, CI Fitness Switzerland provides the officially valid protection concept for the fitness industry, which is based on the model concept for training operations from the FOSPO.
Frequently asked questions about the protection concept
What are the principles for fitness centres from 06 June 2020?
The principles based on the document “Framework for Sport”, which can be found on the Swiss Olympic website, apply.
- Exercise without symptoms
- Keep distance (10m2 training area per person, whenever possible 2m distance)
- Compliance with the hygiene rules of the FOPH
- Presence lists (tracing of close contacts – contact tracing)
- Designation of responsible persons
What distance rules must now be observed?
A distance of 10m2 training area per person and 2m distance must be kept.
With how many participants may courses be held?
Courses of up to 30 people are allowed, as long as spacing can be maintained.
Do the facilities and cloakrooms still need to be cleaned exceptionally?
The facilities, cloakrooms, etc. are cleaned according to normal guidelines . Extraordinary cleaning measures and disinfection are no longer required.
Provisions from 11 May 2020
To ensure that the fitness sector does not have to remain in lockdown mode, the Federal Council, as part of the decisions taken on 16 April 2020, instructed the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) to draw up a concept for relaxing the measures in the entire area of sport. The concept is intended to show how, within the framework of the still valid, overriding protective measures, sports training in popular and competitive sport can take place again.
At this point, CI Fitness Switzerland provides the officially valid protection concept for the fitness industry, which has been approved by Swiss Olympic. This protection concept contains all the relevant information for the sports organisations and event organisers concerned. It was developed in collaboration with the FOSPO, the FOPH and the SFGV. Pursuant to the April 29, 2020 resolution, the fitness centers may reopen effective May 11, 2020, upon submission of and compliance with this protection plan.
Frequently asked questions about the protection concept
May group fitness be offered again? Which specifications must be observed?
Basically you are allowed to do group fitness with a maximum of 5 persons (incl. instructor) and with the protective distance of 2 meters. It is the responsibility of the course instructors to ensure that a distance of 2 meters is maintained between each participant. (Ex. With markers in the room). Another important factor is that the course hours are spaced out, as the participants are not allowed to meet each other when changing. Suggested time between lessons is 30 minutes. Floor markings are also needed in the entrance to the rooms so that the 2 metre distance can be maintained.
How many square metres would a course room have to have in order to ensure that there is sufficient distance between two training groups? What is a "sufficiently large distance" between two groups of 5?
- In fact, there is no dedicated rule description for this. In principle, however, the following applies: 5 persons per course room, whereby the FOPH requires a space of at least 10m2 per person is expected and in case of a group of 5 the course room has a minimum size of approx. should have 80 m2.
- However, if the course room is “very large”, then two groups of 5 can also train in it. Here, the FOPH assumes a minimum size of approx. 150 m2 from. It is important that the distance of 2m is always maintained within the respective group of 5 and that a minimum distance of another 2m is maintained between the two groups of 5, i.e. at least 2m. 4m (!) is available. Thus, the mixing of the two training groups can and must be avoided. (Reason: In the case of a possible corona infection of a person from the respective training group, it must be possible to trace who else was in the training group in order to also identify and isolate these persons).
- In principle, the FOPH also considers the parameters of room geometry, ventilation and, of course, the form of exercise to be important decision-making criteria for the organisation of courses with 1 or more groups of 5. For this reason, the fitness centres should also usefully include information on the parameters in their own protection concepts, so that it can be explained to the inspectors how no mixing of the groups of 5 takes place and which forms of exercise they may temporarily refrain from, because, for example, they do not want to mix the groups of 5. the exercising persons would need a larger movement radius than their 10 m2.
Does every member have to be asked about their health?
Each member must be questioned about his or her health status before being admitted to the fitness center. This can be done in an interview form, but also through a self-evaluation of the members. If one or more symptoms are affirmed by the member, entry to the fitness center will not be permitted.
How many people are allowed to train in the training area?
A maximum of 80% of the number of usable training stations may be present in the training area. Premises such as cloakroom and reception do not fall under the training area.
May the wellness area such as sauna or also bath and water offers open again?
Currently, facilities are only allowed to open for training sessions. For all water offers the regulations of the corresponding protection concepts are valid.
These can be found on the Swiss Olympic website.
Are Group Fitness rooms allowed to be used as a workout space?
Yes, that’s allowed. Then the regulations for the training area apply.
Is there a need to control the number of people in fitness? Say check-in and check-out?
Yes. This is easily controlled by a check-in system. The way it works is the same as in the shopping stores, where there is also a check on the maximum number of items at the entrance. number of persons is carried out.
At what times may the target group "Particularly vulnerable persons" train?
If particularly vulnerable people wish, they may train at their own risk during normal training hours. However, they must be made aware of the risk by you as the provider.
Do I need to make the maximum number of people and also the distances visible?
- It is important that each room is visibly labeled with the maximum number of people.
- The distances should be clearly marked in all rooms. (e.g. floor markings)
Are fitness centers currently allowed to open with unsupervised hours?
Due to the concept of protection for fitness centers, there is no provision requiring permanent on-site supervision. However, it is the responsibility of the fitness center to ensure that protective measures are in place and adhered to.
