Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 12

98 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 12 IHRSA and the fitness industry created a Medical, Science, and Health Advisory Council to work with medical, science, and health experts to protect public safety while improving population health and individual health risks, and advancing the health and fitness industry. A case control study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that people who tested positive for COVID-19 were more likely to have dined in a restaurant or have had a close contact diagnosed with COVID-19. There was no statistically significant association between COVID-19 test results and visiting a gym. As an example, data collected as part of an ongoing study at the University of Florida found no detectable SARS-CoV-2(the virus causing COVID-19) in the air during multiple testing periods at a health club in Florida in which patrons were following state guidelines and appropriate social distancing measures. The events of the coronavirus pandemic have Safe Commitment developed by industry experts in accordance with the foremost public health guidance. Clubs immediately started working with and following a four-pronged framework for managing risks associated with COVID-19 in exercise facilities. The four prongs address: physical distancing/mitigation measures; employee/member safety protocols; cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting; and contact tracing. IHRSA created this framework with reference to the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), John Hopkins Center for Health Security, as well as in consultations with club operators and federations partners worldwide.