Gyms re-open in Assam amid COVID-19. Read to know guidelines

After five months of lockdown across the country to arrest the spread of the COVID-19, gyms have opened in Assam along with the rest parts of the country.

The government has set certain guidelines for yoga institutes and gyms across the country that are allowed to reopen from Wednesday as part of the centre's "Unlock 3" plan amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The guidelines seek to minimise physical contact between staff and visitors at yoga centres and gyms as COVID-19 is known to spread via respiratory droplets and surface contact. Yoga institutes and gyms in containment zones, however, will remain shut. Only those outside containment zones are allowed to open.

Also read: Mizoram reports highest-ever spike of 55 COVID cases

Some of the key points in the new guidelines are:

• Those above 65 years, people with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 have been asked not to use gyms in closed spaces.
• Face cover or mask is mandatory at all times on the premises. But during exercising, only a visor may be used as mask may make breathing difficult.
• It is recommended to use the COVID-19 tracker app Aarogya Setu.
• The yoga or gym floor should have space of four metres per person. Equipment should be kept six feet apart, and wherever possible, they should be moved outdoors.
• Create specific pathways for entering and exiting the building with proper direction markings on the walls.
• For air-conditioning and ventilation, the temperature setting should be in the range of 24-30 degree Celsius with intake of fresh air as much as possible.
• Sessions should be staggered with minimum gap of 15-30 minutes between classes to avoid overlap between members arriving and leaving.
• Restricting the number of people per group in a fitness class should be based on the size of the room and the nature of the activity.

The Health Ministry's guidelines say the gates to the buildings should have sanitizer dispensers and thermal screening devices. Only asymptomatic people including staff are allowed to enter.

If a person is suspected to be infected, the person should be kept in a room or area where they are isolated from others. The staff should immediately inform the nearest medical facility or call the state or district helpline, the Health Ministry said.

India recorded over 50,000 coronavirus cases for a 5^th consecutive day, taking its tally way past the 1,800,000 mark. India's death toll now stands at 38,161. The states that have reported the biggest 24-hour jump in active cases are West Bengal (2,739), Madhya Pradesh (921), Mizoram (55). Five most affected states by total tally of cases are Maharashtra (4,41,228), Tamil Nadu (251,738), Andhra Pradesh (1,58,764), Delhi (137,677), and Karnataka (1,34,819). Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa were reported to be among prominent political leaders who have tested positive for coronavirus. The two tested positive on Sunday.

Among the states, Maharashtra is the first state to cross 13 thousand deaths. It has recorded 148843 active corona cases, 276809 cured and 15576 deaths. The western state is followed by Delhi and Tamil Nadu. Delhi has 10356 active corona cases, 123317 cured and 4004 deaths. Tamil Nadu has 56998 active cases, 4132 deaths. Gujarat with 14572 active COVID-19 cases, 46504 cured and 2486 deaths.

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