Fortunately, during the press conference on Friday, January 14, we received confirmation of the message that our industry association NL Actief had strongly emphasized the Tuesday before: that it is essential that people are able to participate in sports and physical activity!
It is great to hear and see that the new cabinet and the new ministers, Conny Helder and Ernst Kuipers, are demonstrating the decisiveness to make more possible for sports again starting Saturday, January 15 at 5:00 AM. With the petition and all previous contact from the sports and fitness industry, we succeeded in getting the essence of sports onto the political radar, and we hear from the national government that Tuesday's action made a major contribution to this. So, once again, thank you to everyone who also signed the petition!
What will the relaxed measures starting Saturday, January 15 at 5:00 AM look like?
New guidelines for the sports sector following easing of restrictions
RWIJK GYM can open its doors again to welcome its members back inside.
Below are the key guidelines that apply:
– It is once again possible for all ages to play sports indoors and outdoors. Therefore, there are no restrictions on age or closing times.
– We must ensure the 1.5-meter distance is maintained at all times. The only exceptions are youth under 18 years of age and when it is not possible to maintain the 1.5-meter distance for the sports activity. Examples include boxing, bootcamp, etc.
– The hygiene measures, already well known to everyone, remain in effect.
The following now applies to indoor sports:
– There is no restriction on group size in an indoor space. However, the 1.5 meters must be maintained as described above.
– All athletes will still need to be asked for a COVID-19 entry pass (QR check).
– Face masks are mandatory upon entering and leaving our indoor spaces. Face masks do not need to be worn while exercising.
– Reservations are not required by the government, but our members are used to it 😊
– Changing rooms are open again. However, the 1.5 meter distance must be maintained.
The following now applies to outdoor sports:
There are no longer any restrictions on group size for outdoor sports, no closing times, and no requirement for a QR code check. Here too, you must maintain the 1.5-meter distance. The only exception is again for sports activities where it is not possible to maintain the 1.5-meter distance, such as boxing and/or bootcamp training.
Corona (QR) code check
We realize that some of our members and interested parties, or perhaps even our support base, have objections to the COVID-19 (QR) check policy. We would also prefer to allow everyone to participate in sports, and we do not want to have to turn away members simply because we do not consider this customer-friendly. We understand that this measure may be a sensitive issue for some of you.
Let's be clear: as far as we are concerned, everyone should be able to work on their health, vaccinated or unvaccinated. Fortunately, that is also possible at RWIJK GYM with our beautiful indoor and outdoor gym 😊
On the other hand, checking the QR code is a requirement imposed by the government, with a fine and closure as a possible measure if I, as a company, do not comply.
On the other hand, there is a (silent) majority that is vaccinated and actually values being able to exercise safely and responsibly with us, and therefore values the verification of the QR code. We respect everyone's opinion and choices in this matter, but as a company, we must follow government policy to avoid fines and closure. We hope you will understand this as well.
Sports must become essential
Although we are not yet formally an essential sector, we see this current decision regarding the measures within that same context: we hold a privileged position compared to other sectors. This also entails a responsibility for us, as the sports industry and the company, to position ourselves as essential. What do I mean by that? That we, as a company, are fully aware that Omikron may be dealing with 80,000 infections per day in the coming period. It is therefore of great importance that we adhere to the established guidelines together. It is our shared responsibility to practice sports responsibly and safely together in the coming period.
My personal trainer team and I are very happy that we are open again almost like old times, so that our loyal members—and hopefully you soon too—can enjoy working out and moving!
Not a member of RWIJK GYM yet? Then sign up for our New Year's promotion via the form below!
Hope to see you soon at RWIJK GYM.
Team RWIJK GYM
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