This way she can keep her gym ‘Rebuild your lifestyle’ alive for a few more months. Nathalie says it with optimism in her voice, but the need is great. Broeders also does not receive corona support, she does not meet the conditions. “I think it will work for three months. I have had the dream for decades to have my own gym. It is already going to be a tough one.”
15 minutes drive
It is natural that a gym owner wants to open, with the doors closed she does not earn much, although it is not so bad with the people who cancel their subscriptions. But there is something else going on: the Belgian border is nearby. “I hear a lot of people who are going to work out across the border. The gyms are open there.”
–
–
The fear is that if the closure lasts longer, more and more people will find their way across the border. You can be in Belgium in just over fifteen minutes from the Broeders gym. And many people do care about that.
‘Hundreds go to Germany’
Ron Haans can confirm that. He has not one, but fifteen gyms. Fourteen of them are in the north of our country, especially in Groningen. One case of Haan is in Germany, about 5 kilometers from the border, in Weener. His only case open.
Haans members may use all locations. They do that, en masse even: “There are hundreds of Dutch people who are now going to Germany. I think that’s okay, as long as they adhere to the rules that apply there.”
–
–
And those are stricter in Germany, and beyond that they are better observed, Haans sees. “Really keep your distance, clean the devices and materials well and wear a specific type of mouth cap.”
Cancellations after QR code
In the business itself, Haans is allowed to use 70 percent of the maximum occupancy. With the question from the Netherlands, that just doesn’t work. “We are open 24 hours a day, with the spread that results in it goes well.”
–
–
Sounds nice, but still an option, but Haans also fervently hopes that it will no longer be necessary soon. “This shouldn’t take much longer. My employees can’t do their job and you have to deal with customers who cancel. After the introduction of the QR code, that was 10 percent, for example.”
Time blocks, adjustments
And there is still something chafing with the members. The Dutch business is not completely closed. Rehabilitations take place at physios, and the professional athletes are allowed to train in the Haans facilities. Donar’s Groningen basketball players, for example, stay fit in the Haans branches. “One group is allowed, the other not. That stings.”
Just a little longer, Haans and Broeders both hope. Monday open? It would be nice, and it is possible, Broeders assures. “With time blocks, with adjustments, there are so many possibilities.”
–
–
Today the cabinet meets to make decisions. Tomorrow there will be a press conference in which those decisions will be announced. Then Haans and Broeders know where they stand.
–
–
