Melbourne fitness facilities have been labelled as ‘high-risk environments” by the Chief Health Officer, with the peak industry body disputing the ‘ludicrous’ claims.
The Australian state of Victoria is emerging from its fourth lockdown, but heavy restrictions still remain for many ‘devastated’ sectors.
The Federal Government will no longer declare the state’s capital as a coronavirus hotspot, however this means an end to COVID-19 disaster payments for most people.
Lockdown restrictions eased in Melbourne at 11.59pm on Thursday 10th June, but heavy restrictions still remain for many businesses in both the metro and regional areas of the state.
“We are not making a sacrifice, we are more a sacrificial lamb”
Gyms in Melbourne will be closed for at least another week, a decision one owner has described as “the laughing stock of Australia”
The government has lifted restrictions for cafes, restaurants and retail to reopen from Thursday but fitness facilities will have their doors shut, for at least another week.
This comes as Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton described these venues as “high-risk environments”.
Professor Sutton said overseas research indicated gyms were places that had “significant opportunity to spread” infections.
“I am asking gyms to make that sacrifice for a further week,” Professor Sutton said.
The CEO of peak fitness industry body, Fitness Australia, disputes the claims made by Sutton.
“Our sector has been making a sacrifice for 18 months. We are not making a sacrifice, we are more a sacrificial lamb,”
CEO of Fitness australia, barrie elvish.
"Our sector has been making a sacrifice for 18 months. We are not making a sacrifice, we are more a sacrificial lamb"
Matt Georgeades owns two Body Fit Training studio’s in Melbourne’s inner west and says Sutton’s claims “are absolutely rubbish”.
Matt Georgeades, BODY FIT TRAINING STUDIO AIRPORT WEST AND Craigieburn OWNER
In metropolitan Melbourne hospitality, hair, beauty salons and retail are among those permitted to re-open, but gyms, amusement parks, dance studios and nightclubs will remain closed.
Is the government support for closed businesses enough?
A further $8.36 million in funding has been announced to provide an additional $2000 grant to support thousands of businesses that will remain shut.
However, Georgeades says he is wondering “where the funds are going to come from” to continue to support his small business and staff, as well as maintain outgoing expenses with “minimal support from the government”
“Our community is a tough bunch, but throughout the four lockdowns, I’ve seen the mental heath (of members) diminish dramatically,”
Georgeades says.
“Clearly, the Chief Health Officer does not see the importance of people’s mental health.”
Georgeades says he “just wants to know when mental health will be held equally as important as peoples physical health”, as he has seen his members positivity decline as lockdown progressed.
"The data shows us you're five times more likely to get a transmission of the virus in a hospitality venue, than a gym facility."
The fitness industry is uniting in a “call to arms”, flooding social media of pictures standing outside empty gyms, in a bid to allow fitness facilities to open as soon as possible.
Ticker News is now available on Xumo TV and Xfinity, bringing new era of accessibility
Ticker is thrilled to announce a major milestone for Ticker News: we are now available for streaming across the United States on Comcast’s major platforms, Xumo TV and Xfinity.
The development places Ticker News in the company of industry giants like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, marking a significant leap forward in our mission to deliver quality news to a wider audience.
With a combined reach of 50 million active users per month, Xumo TV and Xfinity offer an opportunity for Ticker News to expand viewership.
The achievement is particularly special with Ticker’s fifth anniversary on air on August 19.
“Getting Ticker News on these platforms was no small feat,” says Ticker Founder and CEO Ahron Young.
“It took nearly two years of intense negotiations and overcoming various technical challenges. But the journey underscores the resilience and determination of our team, proving that persistence pays off. We are immensely proud of what we have accomplished together,” Ahron says.
Being available on Xumo TV and Xfinity significantly enhances our already robust distribution network.
These platforms provide Ticker with the ability to reach millions of new viewers, further solidifying our presence in the competitive news landscape.
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Looking Ahead
As Ticker celebrates this exciting moment, the media company remains focused on its mission to provide accurate, timely, and engaging news to our audience.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support of our hosts, staff, investors, and viewers. Every moment counts at Ticker, and together, we are building something truly special,” says Ahron.
Vice President Kamala Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a cease-fire agreement.
Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted the nature of the discussion describing it as a “frank and constructive”meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Harris expressed her concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
She stressed the need to finalise a cease-fire deal.
Harris described the past nine months in Gaza as devastating.
She urged that the tragedies in Gaza should not be ignored. #trending
