Currently all gyms are in North Carolina are remaining closed in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In the meantime, businesses such as public transportation (buses, light rail), grocery stores, big box stores like Walmart, Target, etc. have remained open during the stay at home order. Now that we are in Phase 2, and the stay at home order has been downgraded to a safe at home order, beauty salons, pools, day cares, overnight camps, restaurants etc are now re-opening. In many of these situations people have to have physical contact with one another. Gyms are actually a safer environment because no physical contact is necessary. On average gyms have better cleaning and social distancing practices than many of these other establishments already, and they are implementing even more cleaning and social distancing practices due to COVID-19.

Gyms are not only essential for people's physical health, they're also essential for our mental health as well. Many of us that have mental health issues like depression, anxiety etc are struggling more than ever because of the quarantine, and there has been no additional access to mental health resources offered to us by the government during this time. Gyms also make us feel like part of a community which gives us the support that many of us struggling with our mental health need now more than ever. Many scientific studies have also proven that exercising boosts our immune system, which is essential during this pandemic as well.

There are many gyms in our area that are small businesses. The clients have contracts with these gyms, and aren't getting what they've paid for, and the gyms aren't creating any additional revenue to stay afloat. The gym owners aren't able to provide for themselves or their families unless the doors stay open. If they are forced to remain closed much longer the owners won't be able to afford their overhead, and will be forced to close permanently. This will devastate many people's livelihoods, and they may not ever be able to recover from the losses.

I am requesting that all gyms in North Carolina be allowed to re-open immediately as long as they adhere to CDC guidelines, such as limiting the amount of people in the location (based of gym size), strict adherence and enforcement of cleaning and sanitizing equipment, and a screening process to ensure patrons are cleared to enter the facility.

Thank you for your time and consideration.