Good news for the US health club sector, as clubs are put at the front of the queue for reopening.

IHRSA is reporting that during a press conference yesterday, Donald Trump and the White House coronavirus task force recognised that health clubs are “vital to Americans” and as a result, they’ve been included in phase 1 of reopening.

Criteria for triggering phase 1 are:

* The downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses and COVID-19 cases reported within a 14-day period.

* The downward trajectory of documented cases of positive tests as a percentage of total tests within a 14-day period.

* Hospitals being able to treat all cases without crisis care, and a robust testing programme being in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing.

IHRSA’s lobbying efforts in contributing to this outcome have been spearheaded by president and CEO, Joe Moore, and Newtown Athletic Club Owner, Jim Worthington.

Moore says IHRSA has sent a letter of thanks to Donald Trump for recognising the importance of fitness, saying: “At a time when the health of the nation is under attack by the coronavirus, the health of all citizens is integral to the economic and social health of the country. We’re grateful to President Trump and this administration for recognising that the cornerstone of health is a physically active population.

“Health clubs, their staff, and their suppliers are vital to our nation’s current and long-term health,” he said.

IHRSA is working with global public health organisations to create guidelines for safe operations and that these will be shared openly in support of the global industry.