Unlock 3: Your fitness routine is ready to come back on track as the government has allowed reopening gymnasium and yoga institutes from August 5th. As per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), yoga institutes and gymnasiums located in Covid-19 containment zones shall not be permitted to open.

But considering the coronavirus threat is still looming large over us, the government has issued some guidelines which must be followed by the gyms for the time being.

“To contain the spread of COVID infection, the lockdown was imposed, which is now being gradually relaxed in a phased manner. Yoga and physical activity are important for health & well-being, it has been decided to open yoga institutes and gymnasiums from 5th August 2020. Yoga Institutes and Gymnasiums shall adhere to protocols and prevention measures outlined in this document to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the guidelines read.

These are the protocols you will have to follow if you are planning to go back to the gym

  1. Those above 65 years, people with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below 10 have been asked not to use gyms in closed spaces.

  2. Face cover or mask is mandatory at all times on the premises. But during exercising, only a visor may be used as a mask may make breathing difficult.

  3. It is recommended to use the COVID-19 tracker app Aarogya Setu.

  4. The yoga or gym floor should have a space of four meters per person. Equipment should be kept six feet apart, and wherever possible, they should be moved outdoors.

  5. Create specific pathways for entering and exiting the building with proper direction markings on the walls.

  6. For air-conditioning and ventilation, the temperature setting should be in the range of 24-30 degrees Celsius with an intake of fresh air as much as possible.

  7. Sessions should be staggered with a minimum gap of 15-30 minutes between classes to avoid overlap between members arriving and leaving.

  8. Restricting the number of people per group in a fitness class should be based on the size of the room and the nature of the activity.

  9. Only asymptomatic people are to be allowed admission. Thermal screening of all users to be carried out mandatorily.


“Promote card-based, contactless payment,” the guidelines read. The government has also called for the need to limit staff on the general gym floor or in specific workout areas.

If a person is suspected to be infected, the person should be kept in a room or area where they are isolated from others. The staff should immediately inform the nearest medical facility or call the state or district helpline, the Health Ministry said.