At the start of the pandemic, the word 'essential' took on a special meaning to describe those individuals who worked within hospitals and health care facilities who were desperately needed to combat the pandemic, as well as individuals who were critical to providing basic services and goods (e.g. food, electricity, water). Â
Now that nearly seven months have elapsed since Rwanda entered an imposed lockdown due to the pandemic, it is time to review the meaning of this word again.
Mental and Physical Wellbeing is Essential
We, as owners of health/fitness centers in Rwanda, still remain closed, while many of our clients remain at home with compromising mental or physical conditions where regular, guided exercise was a critical part of ensuring they can get out of bed in the morning. Â
Whether it is combatting stress, decreasing the side effects from being overweight or obesity, or improved productivity, exercise benefits everyone. The fact that we are currently in a pandemic, those who are less physically active, are particularly susceptible.
Our Members Are Essential
Many think the number of fitness goers is small, and that it is an elite activity, but we have collectively served over 20,000 customers across our facilities. We were part of building a culture in Rwanda around exercise that is inclusive, healthy and preventative. Â
We have also contributed to health and fitness communities outside our facilities, from the Kigali Peace Marathon to supporting local athletic associations with having access to international-standard training facilities so they can compete.
Fighting NCDs is Essential
We took note of the Ministry of Health's new campaign to raise US$640 million to fight non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, which according to the World Health Organization, will be the number one killer in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
Our clients have outsourced and trusted our institutions in this fight to maintain their health. Many will say that the streets are still open for running, Car Free Day has opened up and there are plenty of at-home training options available.Â
But what many of us are actually fighting in our institutions is misinformation about what it means to have a healthy lifestyle, and we are providing critical guidance to many people who have exercised for the first time. Â
As an anecdote, many of our clients have never used a treadmill, yet we expect them to operate in a particularly stressful and unhealthy environment that has been established with COVID restrictions, without any guidance from health professionals.
COVID Precautions are Essential
Additionally, the science and data around infections in fitness facilities has evolved since the start of the pandemic.Â
According to EuropeActive, the leading voice and non-profit association for the European fitness and physical activity sector, preliminary data collected by King Juan Carlos University and AWRC-Sheffield Hallam University reveals extremely low levels of Covid-19 risk in fitness clubs and leisure facilities. With more than 62 million visits analyzed, the average infection rate sits at 0.78 per 100.000 visits.Â
Since the study's official launch on 25th September 2020, research and evaluation partners have collected data based on more than 62 million visits to fitness clubs and leisure facilities with only 487 positive cases (of both members and staff) reported.
Nonetheless, fitness facilities are uniquely positioned, as compared with other industries that have opened up, such as restaurants or cafes, to respect and raise the bar for COVID precautions.Â
Things like cleaning equipment after use, regular facility cleaning, booking classes in advance by staff were part of our standard operating procedures before COVID. Further, we have come up with a set of new regulations that ensure that we can prevent the spread of COVID within our facilities.
Our Staff Are Essential
Finally, each of facilities has supported a number of people and their families with learning skills and earning a livelihood. With no foreseeable end to the continued lockdown, our companies cannot continue to support staff in a market environment where many are seeking work.Â
Our staff are the soul of our communities, and this lockdown has been particularly difficult for them.
We are essential. It is time for gyms to re-open in Rwanda.Â
The author is a professional trainer.
www.ivanmunye.com
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Source : https://taarifa.rw/we-are-essential/
