On October 28, Public Health recommended opening gyms and spas in the red zone. This new revelation hardly appeals to the long-angry industry.
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The information stems from the publication of Public Health notices on Friday, which had not yet been released before.
Last month, François Legault agreed to make public the opinions of Dr Arruda following pressure from opposition parties.
The spas and their spokesperson are now denouncing the total confusion surrounding their closure.
According to their grouping, the written opinions of Public Health published today reinforce the feeling of complete incomprehension. The reopening of spa facilities is still not allowed, even in the orange zone.
“We denounce the total confusion that reigns around the closure of our establishments. The spas, it should be remembered, welcomed hundreds of thousands of people this summer and we did not identify any outbreaks before the abrupt closure of the fall. Our facilities are safe and our health plan has been approved, ”said the president of the Association québécoise des spas, Véronique Lemieux.
The spas are therefore calling for rapid reopening. The closures cause losses of millions of dollars to the industry, which employs some 5,000 workers.
“How can we explain that we allow free swimming in indoor pools or outdoor gatherings of eight people in the red zone, but that we keep our industry closed? Especially when we know that our pools are outside. Where is the logic?” added Mme Lemieux, which represents 57 members in 15 tourist regions.
There is also discontent among gym owners, who are still awaiting a positive response from the government.
Earlier this week, Gabriel Hardy, provincial spokesperson for the Canadian Fitness Industry Council and owner of Le Chalet gym in Quebec City, denounced the inconsistency of the decisions, which are no longer justified, according to him.
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