Trending
WHEELING - Gov. Jim Justice announced the closure of gyms in the state during a press briefing Wednesday, and local businesses are responding.
Justice's pronouncement included gyms, health clubs and recreational facilities to join restaurants, bars and casinos in being shuttered for two weeks in the interest of preventing West Virginians from coming in undue contact with each other, enabling the spread of the novel coronavirus and CORVID-19.
Adam Shinsky, director of the J.B. Chambers YMCA in Wheeling, said he wasn't happy that the Y was closing, especially since they provide numerous other services besides gym membership, but that in the interest of protecting the community, he was gung ho about following Justice's directive.
"We hate to have to close, because fitness is very important, but with stuff going on in the country, what the governor said is best," Shinsky said.
"We support him, support the state. If our staff and kids are not healthy, we have no one to serve."
Shinsky said the YMCA would be closed until further notice beginning 10 p.m. Wednesday.
Ryan Ferns, owner and operator of the Ryan Ferns Health Plex, said the facility may experience financial stress from the closure, but that they would abide by Justice's request and sort it out later.
"It's difficult. Most gyms operate on pretty slim margins, and so closing down for a couple weeks could have a serious impact," Ferns said. "But at the end of the day, we're going to abide by the guidance of the governor and do what's right to protect the community.
"Our gym is really more of a training facility than a gym, so a big chunk of our revenue comes from that. … A lot of our trainers work on a percentage of revenue, so it's not like you're offsetting it. They're affected too."
Both Planet Fitness and Anytime Fitness in Moundsville had already closed by Wednesday afternoon, with phone recording saying that the gyms had been closed until further notice.
"I am asking our businesses to do exactly what they've been doing -- help," Justice said around 3 p.m. Wednesday. "Helping everyone. Let your employees work from home. Try in every way you possibly can to let people go home. Home is the key to everything here. We've got to keep the essential part of our existence going, but we've got to go home. … We've got to get away from each other."