Last week, EuropeActive sent a sectoral Declaration for Action to the presidents of the EU institutions inviting them to join us in the promotion of physical activity for social, mental and physical wellbeing. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow, European policy and decision-makers must recognise that fitness centres and health clubs provide essential services, through boosting the immunity and resilience of European citizens.
Furthermore, there has been a substantial and continuous increase in evidence and data, from a growing list of countries, which indicates that the risk of COVID-19 infections in fitness facilities is negligibly small. EuropeActive is contributing to this evidence base by collaborating with research and evaluation partners AWRC-Sheffield Hallam University and King Juan Carlos University to collect data from the main operators across Europe to analyse the actual confirmed COVID-19 cases in fitness facilities and leisure centres across Europe compared to the actual number of visits in the same facilities.
It remains, of course, of the utmost importance that everyone continues to follow operational guidance and protocols developed by sectoral associations, such as EuropeActive and national health institutes.