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The new measures taken by the Federal Council in the fight against the coronavirus actually seem clear: a mask is required where you cannot keep your distance, even when you are outside. For indoor sports activities, the Federal Council has established a general requirement for masks and has limited the number of people who exercise to a maximum of 15.
So far so clear No way. The two big players on the Swiss market, the Swiss Fitness and Health Center Association (SFGV) and IG Fitness, have now published their protection concepts. Both provide generous exceptions to the mask requirement during training, write “20 minutes”.
The association defends itself: the concept of protection was created with Daniel Koch
The SFGV, for example, does not care about the mask requirement. If the 1.5 meter distance rules can be adhered to or if the devices are separated from people with “effective barriers”, you can do without a protective mask. This is the protection concept of the association, which represents some 400 fitness companies in Switzerland.
SFGV Vice President Roland Steiner defends himself against the newspaper. The concept of protection of the association corresponds to the requirements of the Federal Council. “It was created together with Daniel Koch, the former director of the Department of Communicable Diseases at the Federal Office of Public Health.” But since they had not been informed in advance about the exact content of the prescribed measures, there was a mess. The ordinance was published Wednesday and went into effect at midnight, Steiner says. “No one can think of a sensible protection concept in just a few hours.”
BAG takes a stand in the chaos of masks
The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) commented on the chaos in the gyms for the first time on Friday. “Controlling the correctness and implementation of protection concepts is the responsibility of the cantons,” BAG spokesperson Yann Hulmann tells “20 Minuten”. But he also underlines that federal regulations are clear: a mask is mandatory to play sports in a gym. The reason? “Fitness center operators cannot guarantee that people or trainers are always 1.5 meters away, so the mask requirement should always apply in the individual training area and general facilities.”
The SFGV is not the only fitness association whose concept of crown protection raises questions. The IG Fitness one basically states a full mask requirement, but exceptions are also stated in this document. “If space conditions allow it,” they say. It must be seen when and if the cantons intervene, or the fitness associations independently adapt the concepts of protection. (nim)
