A group of California fitness centers have filed a lawsuit alleging Gov. Gavin Newsom’s measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 unfairly target the industry and are demanding they be allowed to reopen.
The California Fitness Alliance, which represents nearly 300 businesses, filed the suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, said Scott Street, a lawyer for the group, on Tuesday.
The suit accuses state and Los Angeles County officials of requiring gyms to close without providing evidence that they contribute to virus outbreaks and at a time when staying healthy is critical to California’s residents. The prolonged closure is depriving millions of people of the ability to exercise as temperatures soar and smoky air from wildfires blankets much of the state, said Francesca Schuler, a founding partner of the alliance.
âWe are not looking for a fight,â said Schuler, who is chief executive of In-Shape Health Clubs. âWe are committed to being as safe as possible. We are in the health business. Thatâs what we care about more than anything.â
The alliance also questioned why fitness centers are facing more restrictive measures than restaurants, when gym equipment can be spaced out and patrons required to wear masks.
A message seeking comment was sent to the California Department of Public Health.
The suit is one of many filed by California sectors walloped by closures due to the pandemic.
Under state rules, fitness centers can reopen indoors at 10% of capacity when a county’s COVID-19 infections drop from âwidespreadâ to âsubstantial,â as determined by state health officials. In counties with âminimalâ infections, gyms can reopen indoors at 50% capacity.
As of Tuesday, 30 of the stateâs 58 counties still had âwidespreadâ infection levels, which require schools to only offer distance learning and most businesses to limit indoor operations.
â Associated Press
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