Last Wednesday, May 26, 2021, the Federal Council announced further relaxations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fitness operators are also affected by the announced easing measures. IG Fitness Switzerland is pleased about the further easing of restrictions for operators in the fitness and health industry and has adapted the official protection concept to reflect this decision. This will come into force on May 31, 2021. Below you will find all the relevant changes that are also set out in the protection concept.

Changes to the protection concept – from May 31, 2021

Basically:

• Each studio must also state the name and contact details of a person responsible for compliance with the protection concept in the protection concept. This person must be available to the responsible authorities between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. in the 14 days following the event.
• Full contact details must be collected (surname, first name, address and telephone number). As operators, gyms must also inform the people present that this data may be passed on to the relevant cantonal authorities: If someone has had contact with people who have tested positive for Covid-19, they can be contacted in this way and sent into quarantine.
• All objects and installations (especially training equipment, sanitary facilities, door handles, railings, chair backs, etc.) should be disinfected regularly.
• It is recommended to provide closed garbage cans for tissues and used hygiene masks, especially at the exit.
• The FOPH recommends that before visiting a fitness center, the customer takes a quick test to clarify a possible illness in advance.

Space conditions/training venue conditions

• Each center is required to calculate the maximum number of people present in the fitness center at the same time on the basis described above and to indicate this in the individual protection concept. These and all other measures (e.g. floor markings) must ensure that the distance between exercisers is maintained at all times during training and that groups of more than 50 people do not form.

Training areas (INDIVIDUAL TRAINING)

• Wearing a face mask can be dispensed with in large rooms if additional distance requirements and capacity restrictions apply and ventilation is guaranteed (areas of more than ^25m2 per person, i.e. ~5x5m, or ^10m2 for quiet sports) or if spit protection (3-sided, from floor to above body height) is ensured in the direction of exhalation, the distance requirements may be adequately undercut.

Group fitness (GROUP TRAINING)

• In principle, the federal regulation of a maximum group size of 50 people (including instructor) applies, who must maintain the safety distance within their maximum radius of movement and all must train with masks.
• Wearing a face mask can be dispensed with in large rooms if additional distance requirements and capacity restrictions apply and ventilation is guaranteed (areas of over ^25m2 per person, i.e. ~5x5m, or ^10m2 for quiet sports
  )

Wellness / Sauna

The capacity requirement for the entire area is calculated using the formula ^15m2 per person.

• Sauna/pool: The maximum occupancy of the respective area should be noted at the entrances and the occupancy capacity of the individual saunas and pools. It is recommended to wear the mask until you enter the sauna or pool.
• Relaxation rooms: The maximum number of occupants should be noted on the door. The loungers in the relaxation rooms should be placed 1.5m apart. Wearing a mask is recommended.

All further information on the COVID-19 update and the latest protection concept can be found by clicking on the button below.