Local business owners respond to latest executive order

After weeks of speculation, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer officially gave gyms the green light to reopen in all parts of the state Thursday, Sept. 3.

In most parts of the state, workout facilities have been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Whitmer signed a pair of executive orders allowing gyms to reopen Wednesday, Sept. 9, with safety precautions.

In addition to mask-wearing and social-distancing requirements, gyms will be required to provide training for employees on COVID-19 protocols and increase cleaning efforts.

Gym workers will also have to keep records of who is entering their facility for contact tracing purposes. Whitmer’s executive order mandates gyms to record names, time and date of entry and contact information for patrons. Gyms are also directed to deny entry to anyone who doesn’t provide their name and phone number.

Facilities are capped at 25 percent capacity. Workout machines will have to be moved around to ensure six-feet distance between patrons. Gyms that have saunas, hot tubs or steam rooms will have to close them.

“We’re excited to get back to work after six months of unemployment,” said Andy Hagans, co-owner of Guardian Jiu-Jitsu in Holland Town Center.

“Long-term unemployment is hard on anyone and I know we’re not the only ones who’ve gone through it. I have compassion for anyone in the community whose job or life has been upended by this.”

According to Hagans, facilities like Guardian are essential to mental and physical health.

Read the full article here:
https://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/20200905/local-business-owners-respond-to-latest-executive-order