Sector-Specific Public Health Standards for Fitness Studios and Gyms

Engineering Controls
  1. Ensure adequate air exchange in enclosed areas through the implementation of strategies as cited in DOLE Department Order No. 224-21, such as:
    1. Maximizing natural ventilation through opening of windows;
    2. Use of low-cost modifications to improve air flow (e.g. addition of fans or exhaust fans);
    3. Identification of multi-occupant spaces that are used regularly and are poorly ventilated. Air flow shall be controlled to ensure indoor CO2 concentrations be maintained at-or below 1,000 parts per million (ppm)
    4. Installation and regular maintenance of exhaust fans and air filtration devices (e.g. air purifiers) with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters
  2. Install any of the following hand hygiene and sanitation facilities and supplies:
    1. Hand washing station or sink with adequate and safe water supply;
    2. Soap and water or 70% Isopropyl (or Ethyl) Alcohol; and
    3. Hands-free trash receptacles, soap and towel dispensers, door openers, and other similar hands-free equipment.

      The use of foot baths, disinfection tents, misting chambers, or sanitation booths are not recommended.

  3. Enforce four (4)-meters physical distancing between patrons and employees in all areas of the facility. Cardio equipment, free weight areas, weight training equipment, and fitness classrooms may be modified or adjusted to maintain the physical distancing requirement. If rearranging is not an option, place “do not use” signages and unplug equipment to allow for proper physical distancing.

  4. Establish a screening area at the point/s-of-entry. The following protocols must be implemented thereat:

    1. Health declaration or symptom assessment through the use of the Staysafe.ph application, or any national and certified contact tracing application integrated with the same, in the conduct of contact tracing activities. Those with symptoms or exposure to probable, suspect, and confirmed COVID-19 cases, regardless of vaccination status, shall not be allowed entry.

    2. All personnel, suppliers, and customers must undergo a non-contact temperature check. Those with a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees centigrade shall not be allowed entry.

    3. Indoor gyms/fitness studios located in areas where they are allowed to operate shall cater only to fully vaccinated individuals with no COVID-19 symptoms, subject to presentation of a COVID-19 vaccination card.*

  5. Install visual cues or signages to communicate the following:
    1. Maintaining physical distancing of at least four (4) meters distance between patrons and employees;
    2. Cough and sneeze etiquette;
    3. Proper hand hygiene and infection control;
    4. Proper use and disposal of Personal Protective Equipment; and
    5. Other critical reminders in the Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, Reintegrate (PDITR+) strategy and BIDA Solusyon, and Resbakuna for the promotion of the Government’s Vaccination Program.

  6. Where possible, establish physical barriers between workers and patrons.
    1. Install cleanable transparent shields or other barriers to physically separate employees and patrons where distancing is not an option (e.g., between pieces of equipment that cannot be moved).
    2. Use strip curtains, plastic barriers, or similar materials to create impermeable dividers or partitions.

  7. Provide a proper facility for proper storage, collection, treatment, and disposal of used PPE and other infectious waste in accordance with DOH AO 2021-0043.

    *updated per revised IATF guidelines
Administrative Controls
  1. Prohibit the conduct of group activities.

  2. Ensure adequate provision of personal protective equipment to all employees, regardless of employment status, which includes:

    1. Cloth or surgical masks, or face shields, as necessary; and

    2. Gloves and other appropriate PPE for all personnel tasked to do regular cleaning and disinfection of furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

  3. Enforce limits on on-site capacity in accordance with the latest guidelines set by the national government or limitations on venue capacity or other prohibitions as may be imposed by the Local Government Unit (LGU). Establishments shall operate on a by-appointment or reservation basis to adhere to venue capacity requirements.
  1. Disinfect premises in accordance with DOH Department Memorandum No. 2020-0157, its amendments and Cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces in the context of COVID-19 by the WHO. For this purpose, all furniture, fixtures, and equipment, especially those that are considered high-touch surfaces (e.g. lockers, equipment), must be properly and regularly sanitized.

  2. Prohibit the use of water fountains, except for no-touch bottle refill stations. Patrons and employees may be encouraged to bring their own water bottles.

  3. Designate a health and safety officer who, at all times, will be physically present in the establishment to ensure that the MPHS outlined herein and government-imposed limitations on venue/seating capacity are strictly followed. Any non-compliance with this requirement or to the MPHS shall serve as ground for the temporary closure of the establishment, until such time that their violation is rectified.
Personal Protective Equipment

  1. Ensure that face masks are worn at all times, regardless of the exercise to be performed. For the safety of patrons, health and safety officers must discourage patrons from performing high-intensity exercises/activities.

  2. Ensure that appropriate PPEs shall be used for cleaning and disinfection of gym equipment.


Basis: