Reopening of gyms moved to 1 July: prospects at last

The Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Martial Arts Authority) is pleased that the government has listened to the arguments for bringing forward the reopening date for gyms: 1 September becomes 1 July. ‘This is good news for the gyms,’ says chairman Herbert Dekkers. ‘We are not there yet, but the martial arts gyms, which have their backs against the wall, finally have a prospect of survival.’

Until 27 May, the government stated that gyms would not be allowed to reopen until 1 September. As a result, many gyms feared for their immediate survival. Together with NOC*NSF, NL Actief and the POS, the VA recently raised this issue again in talks with the Minister for Sport, Martin van Rijn. The message of 1,600 healthcare professionals who called for more sport and physical activity to be encouraged was also underlined there. Earlier, the VA and other martial arts organisations had already sent an urgent letter to the government. Last week, a delegation of gym owners demonstrated in The Hague how martial arts athletes can train safely within the required limits.

The sector has had the protocols for reopening ready for some time. They were drawn up under the direction of the VA in consultation with experienced gym owners, within the guidelines of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and coordinated by NOC*NSF.

After the sports organisations jointly tightened the indoor sports protocols once more, the government decided today to bring the reopening forward by two months: from 1 September to 1 July. This finally gives gyms the prospect they have been longing for for weeks: a chance of surviving this crisis.

When announcing the decision, Prime Minister Rutte made clear that in the week before 1 July the Outbreak Management Team (OMT) may still decide to revoke the reopening, for example if a resurgence in the spread of coronavirus is observed.

In the coming weeks, the VA will continue its efforts to bring the martial arts sector out of the coronavirus crisis in as sound a condition as possible, among other things by joining forces with as many sports federations and sports entrepreneurs as possible in talks with policymakers.