Updated: 8 November 2020
All of New Zealand is at Alert Level 1.
www.covid19.govt.nz says at Alert Level 1 everyone can return to work, school, sports and domestic travel, and you can get together with as many people as you want. When at Alert Level 1 our clubs are open and operating as per usual with no restrictions on class numbers or physical distancing.
www.covid19.govt.nz is the first place you should go for official information. Here you’ll find detail on Alert Levels, the latest Government updates, info on the disease itself, how to protect yourself, information for communities and other resources.
www.covid19.govt.nz says symptoms include:
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have COVID-19. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as colds and flu. Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention.
Firstly, if you feel ill at any stage you should stay away from the gym and self-isolate. Follow the health advice at www.covid19.govt.nz and ring the National Telehealth service on 0800 358 5453.
Yes, on 13 September the Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) advised us that a person who attended Les Mills Takapuna on 9 September and 10 September had subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. All test results returned from close and casual contacts have been negative.
The person attended:
On the advice of ARPHS we notified members who attended the club on Wednesday 9 September between 5:15pm-7:15pm or on Thursday 10 September between 9am–10:15am.
None. There have been no positive results returned from close or casual contacts. The Ministry of Health identified 86 close contacts who all returned negative test results. The instructors who took the classes have also tested negative for COVID-19. 255 casual contacts who were tested also returned negative results. In total, 341 negative test results have been returned, which is a testament to the distancing and cleaning efforts members are making, as well as the deep cleaning and other protective measures we have put in place.
We worked closely with ARPHS to identify the time periods in question. Due to the number of deep cleans that had been conducted since the infected person was at the club, and the cleaning undertaken in accordance with the Ministry of Health guidelines, ARPHS advised us that it was not necessary to close the club and that the club is safe to attend. However, we conducted an additional full deep clean in the club followed by an anti-viral fogging treatment.
We go beyond the Ministry of Health’s guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting where a confirmed case of COVID-19 has been identified. Our deep clean is from floor to ceiling and includes all equipment - every weight, every bar, every bench, every surface, all machines and all equipment, as well as all changing rooms, wet areas, common spaces and shared facilities. They are all cleaned with hospital grade cleaning products to ensure our facilities continue to be safe to use. All staff and contractors must follow strict PPE requirements and stringent procedures when undertaking a deep clean in the club.
We also apply anti-viral fogging to further boost the effectiveness of deep cleans prior to us reopening our doors. ‘Fogging’ is a misting treatment that is used to apply a mono-molecular layer that forms a barrier which kills 99.99% of germs and keeps critical surfaces and touch points hygienic for up to 30 days. You can read more about the treatment here.
As soon as we could we e-mailed the members who were in the periods identified by the ARPHS. As part of COVID-19 protocol some members were contacted by the Ministry of Health for contact tracing management. Please read the Ministry of Health’s detail on Contact Tracing.
The gym is at least as safe as any other private space used by many people. As part of our COVID-19 response, following Government, Ministry of Health and ExerciseNZ guidelines, we put in place extensive Alert Level 2 processes and protocols to ensure your safety:
No, not that we are aware of.
Please stay home and call your doctor, iwi health provider or Healthline on 0800 358 5453.
All of our clubs are operating as per ‘normal’ at Alert Level 1 with no restrictions on class numbers or physical distancing.
We are following ExerciseNZ's guidelines on best practice for keeping members safe at all times, which have been developed with both Sport New Zealand and Worksafe using the Ministry of Health’s protocols.
Level 1 is good news but it doesn’t mean we give up responsibility for personal hygiene. We all still have to wash / sanitise our hands, cover coughs and sneezes, and bring your own towel and use it when working out.
Absolutely, these are throughout the club and at Reception. The Ministry of Health also recommends you wash your hands with soap and water often (for at least 20 seconds).
Masks are not mandatory but you can wear one if you’d like to.
Yes, you’ll still see cleaning taking place during the day and at night we’ll continue with our deep cleans throughout the club. We will also ask that you wipe down equipment before and after use to help us keep equipment clean.
If you’ve been off sick we will require medical clearance for you. You can then return to the gym as long as you follow all COVID-19 processes and protocols including personal hygiene expectations.
All clubs have a COVID-19 QR code displayed at entry for you to update your digital diary using the official NZ COVID Tracer app. At Level 1 we encourage you to scan the COVID-19 QR codes at the club entrance and outside the studios you use, as well as swiping in with your membership barcode. Also, we will use your check-in access as well as bookable classes to trace when you have entered the club. We will know all members who have accessed a club or a bookable class between cleaning periods or on certain days, and be able to trace should it be required by the Ministry of Health.
Of course. Please scan the COVID-19 QR code at the entrance to diarise your visit.
As part of an industry-wide initiative we have introduced QR codes for each of our studios to help with contact tracing should it be required by the Ministry of Health. It’s not compulsory to scan the QR code but we do recommend you do.
Like the entry QR codes at reception, the information gathered by the Ministry of Health is used to make contact and advise any possible actions should there be a case of COVID-19. Les Mills does not have access to the information.
ExerciseNZ has advised that, due to the relatively limited time spent in these areas and the continual movement of members, QR codes are not required for these spaces.
No, there are no class number limits at Alert Level 1, but let’s give each other some personal space and not crowd fellow members and staff.
No, physical distancing limits no longer apply at Alert Level 1, but let’s give each other some s p a c e.
Yes, when we get to Alert Level 1 there may be some slight changes to the class timetable; please check the latest on the Les Mills app or lesmills.co.nz
Yes, they are and feel free to bring a full drink bottle anyway.
Yes, they are. Please follow etiquette when using the sauna and be aware of your fellow members’ personal space.
Yes, these are still available – please clean them before and after use to keep everyone safe.
No. To minimise sharing of equipment we will not be providing boxing gloves. Please bring your own.
The Conditions of Entry are:
- Stay home if unwell
- Wash or sanitise hands before entering the club and when moving through different areas
- Scan your membership barcode (app or card) every time you enter club
- Bring and use a sweat towel every time you work out
- Wipe down equipment before and after use
- Keep your distance from others in the club.
COVID-19 Health Questions:
1. You do not have any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, sneezing/runny nose or loss of sense of smell)
2. You do not have COVID-19 nor are you awaiting the results from being tested for COVID-19
3. You have not been in contact with any known or suspected cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
4. You have not returned, or been in contact with anyone else who has returned, from overseas in the past 14 days
When you scan your app or membership card when coming into the club, you’ll be confirming your agreement to these Conditions of Entry and COVID-19 Health Questions. You’ll also be confirming that you will abide by all Health & Safety procedures and protocols.
Everyone has different times they can make it in, but you might like to consider coming when it’s less busy. Check out this nifty little graph of average attendance of every club by every day by every hour, to figure out when works best for you.
Yes. No towel = no workout. This will be strictly policed and you will be asked to leave if you have not brought your towel with you to use during your workout.
Yes. Before you come back to the club you need to read these Conditions of Entry and four COVID-19 Health Questions below. After that, by accessing the club each time you will be accepting the Conditions of Entry.