C.O. gyms upset, dismayed over new, limited reopening guidelines

(Update: Adding video, comment from C.O. gym owner and manager)

Central Oregon counties still among 25 in 'Extreme Risk' category

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Gov. Kate Brown issued new guidance on Tuesday that will allow recreation facilities like gyms and other indoor activities (except restaurants) to reopen in very limited fashion in the state's 25 "Extreme Risk' counties.

All three Central Oregon counties remain in that highest risk designation. And just because the gyms can open, doesn’t mean they will, considering the limitations outlined for the limited reopenings that can begin Friday.

Kip Heilman, general manager of the Athletic Club of Bend, told NewsChannel 21 on Tuesday, "I don't think we're going to be opening on Friday, no. It just doesn't make any financial sense to do it."

Under the new guidance, which goes into effect on Friday, indoor recreation spaces larger than 500 square feet can have up to six people inside. Any spaces smaller than that are limited to one-on-one services.

Some gym owners say while it's a start, it's not enough for serious help out of their struggles.

Tate Metcalf, owner of the Sisters Athletic Club, said, "It's great that the Governor Brown is willing to open us up for our communities, but obviously something has got to be different."

Metcalf added that the limit of six people just isn't practical.

"A boutique training studio in Bend with 1,100 or 1,200 square feet can get six people,” he said. “My building, at 19,000 square feet, can get six. And then of course, the Athletic Club of Bend has around 150,000 (square feet)."

Heilman agreed and added that it's not fair to his members, either.

"It would allow a member to use the club once every two months," he said of how he could divvy up access.

And he said the expense just doesn't make sense for six people.

"My utilities bills alone here, even when we are closed, are in excess of $25,000," Heilman said.

Metcalf is unsure if he will open on Friday either, but he hopes a better solution will present itself.

"My hope is that they're going to regroup and put something together so that all of us can safely reopen,” he said.

Release from governor's office:

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Gov. Kate Brown announced Tuesday updates to county risk levels under the public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19.

The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread — Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk — and assigns health and safety measures for each level.

Effective Jan. 29 through Feb. 11, there will be 25 counties in the Extreme Risk level, two at High Risk, two at Moderate Risk, and seven at Lower Risk. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here.

Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties remain among the 25 listed as Extreme Risk. The only changes this time are Grant County moving from Lower to Moderate Risk, while Curry and Lake counties moved from Moderate to Lower Risk and Tillamook County moved from Extreme to Lower Risk.

“Most of the state remains in the Extreme Risk category," Brown said. "This is an important reminder for all Oregonians to continue to do their part by abiding by the health and safety guidelines in place.

"Until vaccines are widely available with high participation rates, the surest way to lower our risk and open our businesses and communities is to continue practicing the measures we know are effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 — wear your mask, keep physical distance from others, avoid gatherings, wash your hands often, and stay home when you are sick."

Governor Brown also announced modifications to the guidance for indoor activities in Extreme Risk counties, which will take effect Friday.

These modifications allow for a maximum of six people indoors at facilities over 500 square feet (for all indoor activities except dining), with associated guidance for ongoing social distancing, cleaning protocols and face coverings.

For facilities smaller than 500 square feet, the modified guidance allows for 1:1 customer experiences, such as personal training. The updated guidance for indoor recreation will be posted to coronavirus.oregon.gov by Friday.

While the new guidance still does not allow for indoor dining, it does make some adjustments for eating and drinking establishments, as follows:

·         Modification to non-adjacent two-sided tents for outdoor dining (current guidance allows for tents with a roof and only one side)

·         Allowance of individual enclosed dining pods for outdoor dining

·         Allowance for use of video lottery terminals indoors, with a maximum of up to six people with physical distancing in place

"The science has shown us that outdoor activities are safer than indoor activities, when it comes to the spread of COVID 19, which is why we have clearly delineated guidance between indoor and outdoor activities," Brown said.

"We have seen over the last several weeks that Oregonians have largely complied with risk levels, to the point that we have not seen a surge in hospitalizations that would have jeopardized hospital capacity," she said. "This means we are able to make these adjustments for Extreme Risk counties, which should assist both businesses and Oregonians as we continue to work to stop the spread of COVID-19."

The Oregon Health Authority will examine and publish county data weekly. County risk levels will be reassigned every two weeks. The first week's data will provide a "warning week," to prepare counties for potential risk level changes. The next assignment of risk levels will be announced Feb. 9 and take effect Feb. 11. 

Updates to Warning Week data and county risk levels will be posted to coronavirus.oregon.gov.