FRUSTRATED WARRNAMBOOL 24/7 owner Stuart Roe is pleading for everyone to support their local businesses, including gyms, as the state recovers from the coronavius pandemic.
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"We didn't choose this, the government has asked businesses to make enormous sacrifices for the benefit of the country and we deserve the support not only from government but other Australians," he said.
"People are really hurting and watching their dreams disappear. Small businesses deserve support from the country going forward and that can be as small as supporting your local cafe, pubs and gyms.
"When we're trying to work with restrictions we can't offer the services we normally could and gyms are now doing bookings (for outside classes and PT sessions) which increases our workload.
"We're taking bookings at 10 o'clock at night and people seem to be getting annoyed with us if were not keeping up."
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Roe said it was ironic people could go to a pub but can't go to their local gym under step three of roadmap to 'COVID Normal', which comes into effect 11.59pm on Wednesday night.
In step three service venues, like pubs and cafes, can open with a cap of 10 seated patrons inside and have a cap of 50 seated patrons outside with density restrictions in place.
The only change for exercise is outdoor fitness for up to 10 people is allowed but gyms are closed until the final step, which is activated when there is no active coronavirus cases statewide.
Roe, who runs the business with wife Katie, said gyms were important for maintaining good mental health and were following strict hygiene practices, including the use of hand sanitiser and disinfectant, before the pandemic.
Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said data from across NSW showed during an eight-week period after gyms reopened there were more than 7.31 million check-ins across 546 gyms but zero cases of reported community transmission were detected.
Boxing coach Rodney 'Rudy' Ryan said he was disappointed his gym would have to remain closed but understood he was playing his part at the same time.
"It's what is best for the community and were are happy to support the measures," he said.
"It's disappointing but there are people a lot worse off than us. We were the first to close and will be the last to open."
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