Gyms, dance studios and more can reopen in Tri-Cities

Tri-Cities residents can again pump iron and work out in local gyms and fitness centers starting immediately.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Friday afternoon that he was lifting some restrictions on indoor fitness and training facilities for counties still in modified Phase 1 of the state’s Safe Start reopening plant.

They include Benton and Franklin counties.

Gyms, yoga studios and indoor sports facilities can open for personal fitness and training, group fitness classes and practice for certain low- and medium-contact sports for the first time since late March.

Dance and martial arts studios also can reopen.

However, they will need to limit occupancy to allow for physical distancing and require everyone to wear masks.

“As the seasons change and outdoor options for fitness and training becomes less accessible, it is important for Washingtonians across our state to have access to facilities where they can safely exercise indoors,” Inslee said.

The Tri-City Regional Chamber has been working closely with the 13 fitness business owners in the Tri-Cities Fitness Coalition to persuade the governor to allow their facilities to reopen.

“Exercise is crucial for mental and physical health,” said Lori Mattson, president of the regional chamber. “Given the unsafe air conditions outside from wildfire smoke, indoor fitness facilities are essential to the well-being of Tri-Citians.

Without eased restrictions, the fitness industry would be at a standstill for rest of 2020, the regional chamber said in an Aug. 28 letter to the governor.

“Because most fitness-related businesses are small, closely held, or family businesses with limited working capital, many will not survive,” the letter said. “Hundreds of employees will be unable to provide for their families and thousands of members who rely on fitness services, especially our most vulnerable populations, will suffer the most.”

COVID safety

Among restrictions for sports and fitness facilities now allowed to reopen indoors are providing 300 feet of distance between visitors.

Overall occupancy is limited to 25% for facilities larger than 12,000 square feet and 300 square feet per person in smaller facilities.

For classes led by an instructor, five students are allowed in an area of 600 square feet. More students are allowed if more floor area is available up to a maximum of 10 students per instructor.

Squash and racquetball courts may open only for individual use and courts must stand empty for 30 minutes between sessions.

Low contact sports, such as tennis and volleyball practices and competitions, appear to be allowed under state guidance, but participants are limited to no more than five per court and no spectators are allowed for either practice or competitions.

Outdoor youth team sports and outdoor adult recreational team sports are not included in the Friday announcement.

The Tri-Cities has been in modified Phase 1 since late March. But the modifications to Phase 1 locally in late August and on Friday have allowed the bicounty area to advance to more than 70% of the activities allowed in Phase 2.

This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 2:32 PM.