Newsom: California gyms could get reopening road map soon

OAKLAND — California is poised to offer gyms and fitness centers a road map to reopen, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday.

In a roundtable with fitness professionals, Newsom said the state is prepared to release guidance in the "very, very near future" as California continues to incrementally restart its economy.

“Within a week or so, we believe we’ll be in a position to make public the guidelines in your sector,” Newsom said.

California has taken several steps to rejuvenate commerce in the last two weeks. Newsom authorized most counties to reopen in-restaurant dining, shopping malls, hair salons and barber shops.

Gyms, spectator events and movie theaters are among the remaining venues still closed statewide.

As with other businesses, gyms would need to institute safeguards to protect their staff and customers. One fitness professional talked about placing tape on the floor to delineate proper social distancing and eliminating shared chalk.

California Family Fitness is among the gym operators proposing ways to safely reopen. The Sacramento chain is owned by Perpetual Capital Partners, which also owns POLITICO.