Gyms reopen – Teleworking rates decline

New activities restart from today, Monday 31/05, at 6am in the context of the gradual lifting of the restrictive measures on the dispersal of COVID-19 in the country. Specifically, from today the following are reopening gyms throughout the country, while the percentage of the telecommuting in the public and private sectors.

Specifically, according to the EIA issued on the measures, in the public sector the number of teleworkers shall be determined on the basis of the nature of the tasks of the employees and the needs of each service, at a rate of 20% of the rate determined by the work plan of each service until the entry into force of this Regulation, and for private enterprises the percentage of teleworkers is set at 20%.

In addition, as of today, the use of the 5X5 pitches and basketball courts in open spaces by amateur athletes and only under the conditions applicable to professional athletes and in particular with weekly self test, compliance with capacity restrictions, entry lists and all sanitary measures.

Furthermore, it is allowed to conduct theoretical training courses of all categories and periodic training of the certificate of professional competence, transport of goods, passengers as well as to allow the conduct of theoretical examinations of all categories for the acquisition of the PEI and the special theoretical examination for the special licence, provided that a self-diagnostic test for coronavirus infection is carried out up to 24 hours before the examination for trainees and at least once a week for examiners, in compliance with the requirements of the Directive.

Furthermore, the members of the Committee, after an interactive discussion, recommended and decided elections, as well as annual general meetings of elected representatives to be held in person in accordance with the protocol of the congresses, provided that the number of registered members does not exceed 150. In cases where there are 150 or more members, both elections and annual general meetings will be held by digital means. In addition, the committee of epidemiologists has recommended the exclusion, from the present, of electoral procedures already initiated by physical postal voting and the relevant security protocols have of course been submitted and approved.

At the same time, from 1 June it was decided to start sports events outside stadiums, outside organized sports facilities with conditions: Up to 300 people with blocks of 50 people per block with rapid test or PCR, electronic registration without awards, no spectators with the use of masks before the start and after the finish from 1/6.

How the gyms will work from today

With compulsory self-diagnostic tests, masks and distances, gyms operate from today. Specifically, all members of the gym (employees and athletes) are required to undergo weekly screening either by self-test for those who are eligible for self-testing or by rapid test for the others. The result of either the self-test or the rapid test is shown to the reception staff and is only valid for the current week at a time. Furthermore, upon arrival, the athletes sign the «List of Entrants to the Sports Facility», where they declare that they have no symptoms, as well as the date of the test. Furthermore, workers are required to wear a double mask or alternatively a high respiratory protection mask (FFP2/N95) at all times during their work.

However, as the Ministry of Development and Investment clarified in a statement, those who do aerobic exercise may not wear a mask only if there is at least three meters distance from other exercisers. In addition, exercisers with severe respiratory problems are advised to avoid vigorous aerobic exercise with a mask. Finally, trainees can wear either a double single mask or a single KN95 or FFP2 mask.

In particular, the new EIA mentions the following:

Α. Operation of a sports area

-Fixing of a fixed protective partition of transparent material (plexiglass) at the reception of the gym, in order to protect both the staff and the incoming members of the gym.

Posting instructions, at the entrance and in conspicuous places inside the gym, regarding:

-Rules of respiratory hygiene (mandatory use of a mask)

-application of hand hygiene

-maintaining distances (as defined below)

Simultaneous presence of persons (including members of the gym staff), depending on the square meters of the gym's surface (one (1) person per 10 sq.m.), while for group aerobic exercises, performed in groups, the distance between the athletes must be at least two (2) meters.

Entrance of athletes with pre-arrangement of the day and time of their arrival, by phone or text message and with recording of personal data (name, phone number), in order to be able to trace them in case of an outbreak.

All members of the gym (employees and athletes) are required to undergo a weekly screening either by self-test for those who are entitled to self-testing or by rapid test for the others. The result of either the self-test or the rapid test is shown to the reception staff and is only valid for the current week at a time.

Upon arrival, the athletes sign the «List of Entrants to the Sports Facility», where they declare that they have no symptoms, as well as the date of the test.

Provision for adequacy of sanitary material

-alcohol antiseptic of a density of at least 70%

-surgical masks

-disposable gloves

Placement of closed pedestrian bins in conspicuous places

A distance of at least two (2) metres between aerobic exercise equipment (e.g. treadmills, bicycles, ellipticals) or the construction of acrylic glass panels, located in front of and along the entire length of the equipment, ideally with an upper covering part (roof), which will be cleaned with an alcohol-based antiseptic solution before use by the next athlete.

Clean/disinfect the instruments with a cleaner/disinfectant according to the manufacturer's instructions after each use.

Continuous and adequate ventilation of the premises with natural ventilation and, with regard to the use of air conditioning units, implementation of the circulars of the Ministry of Health «Taking measures to ensure public health from viral and other infections during the use of air conditioning units» and «Updating of the D1 (d)/GP οικ. 26335/23-4-2020 Circular - Clarifications on the use of air conditioning during the summer period»

In waiting areas, unnecessary objects (e.g. magazines) are removed and the rules of physical distance are respected.

Β. Operation of the changing rooms

The changing rooms are to be used only for the storage of personal belongings of members entering the gym, where there are individual lockers, which will be disinfected before each use.

The use of the baths and the use of the sauna, where available, is prohibited.

Have an alcohol-based antiseptic (with a pump) in prominent places in the changing room area.

An empty seat shall be inserted between the seats.

The room should be ventilated preferably through open windows. As far as the use of air conditioning is concerned, apply the relevant circular of the Ministry of Health. If a ventilation system is present, set for air flow from the inside to the outside without recirculation.

Cleaning staff, during their work, must wear a uniform/working clothes, a double mask or alternatively a high respiratory protection mask (FFP2/N95) and disposable gloves, which must be changed regularly. After removing the gloves, hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or applying an alcohol-based antiseptic for twenty seconds) should follow and, after the hands are thoroughly dry, a new pair of gloves should be used. Additional personal protective equipment, such as goggles and waterproof apron, may be needed during the preparation of solutions, depending on the detergent/disinfectant used and the cleaning process, to protect cleaning staff, particularly if there is a risk of splashing. After removal, personal protective equipment should be disposed of in lidded rubbish bins and hand hygiene should follow (washing with soap and water or application of an alcohol-based antiseptic for twenty seconds).

After using the facilities, cleaning/disinfection is recommended according to the EODY guidelines for non-health facilities https://eody.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/covid19-apolimansi-14-05-20.pdf

Toilet use

- closure of the basin and then the usual water sprinkling

- automatic chlorine release system simultaneously with water sprinkling

- washbasin with liquid soap with pump

- hand towels

- foot-operated closed waste bin

- compliance with physical distance measures (at the toilet entrance)

Γ. Instructions for Staff

Mandatory use of a double mask or alternatively a high respiratory protection mask (FFP2/N95) throughout their work.

Frequent application of hand hygiene.

Absence from work in case of illness.

‘Immediate evacuation from the area in case a staff member develops symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) consistent with COVID-19 infection during work. In the case of a confirmed case of COVID-19 infection in a member of staff, return to work will be in accordance with the guidance provided by the HSE https://eody.gov.gr/odigies-gia-tin-exodo-apo-to-nosokomeio-kai-gia-ti-diakopi-ton-profylaxeon-enanti-metadosis-asthenon-me-covid-19-poy-nosileyontai-i-paramenoyn-gia-frontida-kat-oikon/

If staff members belong to a high-risk group, provide for assignment to tasks with a low risk of exposure.

Δ. Instructions for athletes

Recommendation to travel preferably on foot or by personal transport.

Athletes wear either a double mask or a single mask KN95 or FFP2.

Athletes doing aerobic exercise may not wear a mask if there is a distance of at least three (3) metres from other athletes.

Athletes with severe respiratory problems are recommended to avoid intense aerobic exercise with a mask.

Use hand hygiene before starting and at the end of the exercise and before moving to another exercise machine.

Apply rules of social distance and avoid social contact, hugging and shaking hands, in the gym areas.

Use of personal hygiene items (e.g. towel) and recommendation to have a pair of sports shoes exclusively for use on the gym premises, which will not be used outside the gym area.

Use of personal fitness equipment if their size makes it possible (e.g. balls, tires, mats).

Washing clothes and towels used in the gym in the washing machine with a common detergent at a high temperature (60°C).

A new tool for epidemiological surveillance, transparency and empowerment of citizens, local authorities and foreign authorities on the course of the pandemic

A new tool for epidemiological surveillance, transparency and empowerment of citizens, local authorities and foreign authorities on the course of the pandemic at both national and regional level is activated from today.

Specifically, on the website COVID-19.gov.gr and on the websites of the Civil Protection and the EODY, every citizen of the country will be able to monitor 4 critical indicators:

1) the positivity rate (i.e. the positive cases in relation to the tests carried out in each region)

2) the number of cases per 100,000 on a 7-day rolling basis

3) the upward, downward or stable trend of cases compared to the previous week

4) and finally the level of vaccination of the population in each region of the country with at least one dose.

«The above indicators will reflect a clear picture of the course of the pandemic and the necessary measures to be taken in case there is a local outbreak that is assessed as dangerous by the team of epidemiologists and the tracers of civil protection and EODY», said Mr.Chardalias, during the regular briefing on the course of the pandemic.