Health Unit to Issue New Section 22 Orders
New measures aimed at reducing the potential spread of COVID-19 in restaurant and banquet halls, personal care service establishments, and indoor fitness facilities in London and Middlesex County, will come into effect this Saturday at 12:01 a.m. Middlesex-London’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Chris Mackie, announced that the three Section 22 Class Orders issued under the Health Protection and Promotion Act will require additional public health measures to be taken at these businesses and facilities to fight the pandemic.
Indoor Sports, Recreational, and Fitness Facilities
Effective October 24, 2020, all persons in the City of London or County of Middlesex who operate indoor sports and recreational fitness activities, including gymnasiums, health clubs, community centres, multi-purpose facilities, arenas, exercise studios, yoga, dance studios, and other fitness facilities must take the following actions.
NOTE: We anticipate additional clarification to be issued by the health unit tomorrow, October 25, 2020, and will provide further updates as it affects current programing after such time:
- The total number of people permitted to be in a class, organized program, or organized activity at the facility cannot exceed 10 people, including staff. Each class, organized program, or organized activity must take place in a separate room or, if occurring on an indoor soccer field or ice pad, separated by a minimum distance of nine metres. Final capacity is determined by the ability to maintain three metres of physical distance between each person.
- The instructor of any class, organized program or organized activity must wear a face covering or provide instruction virtually. Instructors should also wear microphones to reduce the need for shouting; participants singing along to the music or shouting back at the instructor should be discouraged.
- Any person who enters or uses the facility must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from any other person who is using the facility. The exception to this is any class, organized program, or organized activity in which three metres of physical distance must be maintained.
- The operator must ensure that the building heating, venting and air conditioning (HVAC) system are well maintained in line with the Guidance for facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities during COVID-19.
- Any steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools, or bathhouses must be closed.