The French who wanted to make good resolutions for the start of the school year will have to take their troubles patiently.
Among the restrictions announced yesterday by the Minister of Health Olivier Véran on Wednesday is the closure of sports halls and gymnasiums in many regions of the country.
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"
These are confined spaces where wearing a mask is impossible or even at least complex and which are unfortunately important places of contamination
", insisted the Minister to justify these new measures, decided for a period of two weeks.
All areas of enhanced alert, such as Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon or Saint-Etienne, as well as in areas placed in “
maximum
”
alert areas
, such as Marseille and Guadeloupe are concerned.
In the aftermath of these new announcements, fitness rooms and sports clubs are worried about their season and are waiting for details.
Private fitness rooms resigned
For the fitness rooms, the news fell like a hammer.
"
We learned it like everyone else in front of our TV last night
," said an employee of a Paris club from the Cercle de la Forme.
Since the beginning of the morning, the questions of the members are linked, while the members of the staff are unable to provide details.
“
No communication was made.
We do not yet know if we will have to close Saturday, Sunday or Monday.
One thing is certain: we are now resigned,
”he explains.
During the weeks when the club is closed, all members' subscriptions will be frozen: members will therefore not be charged.
The potential for the formation of clusters in these rooms worries the executive.
In recent months, the list of health recommendations was already substantial: reservations required, constant disinfection of machines and wearing of masks mandatory in the corridors.
In some clubs, screens with plastic shields separate the machines.
But despite all the precautions implemented, it is "
difficult to channel all the members in a small area
", concedes the employee of the Circle of Shape.
After forced rest during the confinement period, the industry hoped to avoid the worst in the coming months.
The main players had also mobilized a lot to obtain a reopening of their rooms as soon as possible, from June.
“
Customers have returned this summer, but the summer season is usually a slack period for gyms.
We were betting a lot on the start of the school year
”.
Sports associations in uncertainty
Sports associations remain uncertain.
"
Since this morning I have been on the phone,
" says Odile Ballerini, administrative and sports manager of the Aix Gym club, which occupies municipal gymnasiums for its various activities (fitness, pilates, Nordic walking).
“
We sail by sight.
We are expecting a letter from the city's sports department.
Then we should be supported by our sports federations.
"
Read also: Closure of bars and restaurants: meeting this Thursday between government and professionals
Not enough to thwart the plans of this Aix-en-Provence sports club which intends to maintain its activities by organizing them outdoors and with smaller groups, or by doubling the workforce.
As at the time of deconfinement on May 11.
However, the announcement comes at the wrong time for amateur sports clubs.
In full registration period for the 2020/21 season.
“
We will wait a little before collecting the contributions,
slips Odile Ballerini
.
But the new ones who come to try a course are not sure that they will take the plunge.
I'm afraid it will be a drag and I understand.
"
On the Lyon side, combat sports and martial arts centers are hoping for a miracle.
“
We contacted the Federation to find out if, officially, we were concerned.
But, unfortunately, we expect an imminent obligation to close,
”explains an employee of the Club du Rhône.
Bad news for this combat sports center, which has been enjoying good momentum since the summer.
“
We cannot freeze subscriptions, we would go bankrupt,
” explains the Club, unlike other establishments.
The Club hope the restrictions will last only two weeks, as announced by the government.
However, in the event of closures, the lost weeks will be carried over beyond the end of a member's subscription.
Swimming pools do not feel concerned
In Boulogne-Billancourt, ACBB swimming, the head of the swimming section of the Athletic Club de Boulogne-Billancourt, is also wondering.
"
I am waiting to know if I am concerned
", answers Jean-Sébastien Corbeels.
“
I imagine that the prefect will give us a global communication.
But for now, I did not understand that the swimming pools were affected by these closures.
Finally, I hope !
".
He recalls that since their reopening after confinement, the swimming pools and swimming clubs have put in place a whole arsenal of measures and barrier gestures: "
we limit to 10 swimmers per line, we have established a whole travel route, wearing a mask for lifeguards.
We show white paw.
And the hydroalcoholic gel is like bathing in it with the chlorine in the water!
"
Finally, the French Tennis Federation also believes that it is not affected by the new restrictions.
“
From what we know for now, the outdoor courts are not affected.
As for the indoor courts, it would be difficult to perceive them as confined spaces
, ”explains the Pereire Tennis Club, in the 17th arrondissement of the capital.