 Early Times Report
JAMMU, JUNE 7: Expressing their concern over the delay in reopening of Fitness centres in Jammu, the Gym Owners have urged upon the Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu to order reopening of their establishments.
In a statement issued here today, Gym Owners said that all their establishments were closed, as a measure to control the spread of COVID 19 but Fitness Industry is being ignored even after Central government’s announcement of ‘Unlock 1.0’.
“After the nearly two month lockdown, we were hoping for some relaxations under ‘Unlock 1.0’ as the same has been extended to other industries, which are also client interaction based industries like fitness centres. However, the government has still not called for reopening our fitness centres and gyms which has not only created an uncertain future for us but also for our employees and their families,” said Neete Kour, an International gold medalist, who owns ‘Queens Aerobic World’ in Janipur.
There has been no income of employees since the last about two months of lockdown, she said.
Neete Kour, who is also Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir Amateur Power Lifting Association (JKAPA), Jammu Province, said that the lockdown has resulted in zero incomes to owners due to the closure of gyms.
“We are neither able to pay salaries to employees nor rent to the owners of establishments. And, if the closure continues for another fortnight, many centres will not be in a position to reopen due to heavy financial liabilities,” she stated.
“We request the government to give some relaxation to fitness industry as well because it has become very difficult to run our families due to continuous closure,” demanded Fitness Coach Neete Kour.
Owners of Scorpio Gym Hub, Queens Aerobic World, BJD Gym and other gyms of Jammu appealed the UT Administration to help these Fitness Centres and gyms to survive, as they are employers and provide employment to unemployed youth. Moreover, Fitness centers also play an important role in boosting immunity of the visitors and keeping them physically fit to fight against any virus.”This can be done if we receive government support,” they stated.
The UT Administration should work out some financial package so that the centres are able to pay the rent of their establishments for the time the centres remained closed.
They assured to follow social distancing norms and highly effective Standard Operating Procedure.
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