BOSTON (WHDH) – All is not profitable for Boston gyms right now as the COVID-19 surge and citywide restrictions cause a serious business slump.
Handlebar Bike Studio is one of several gyms that are asking the city to waive the mask requirement if members can show they are vaccinated.
“We were really hoping that when people got back to their routines in September we would see an increase. And instead we got a mask mandate in September and our presence has decreased even more, ”said founder and CEO Jessica Fracalossi.
Handlebar is one of several gyms that are asking the city to waive the mask requirement if members can show they are vaccinated. They say customers have a hard time doing cardio with the masks and – unlike when the pandemic started – their business is getting no support.
“I think we are in the most difficult phase at the moment, because at least at the moment we have no PPP available. And our landlords are losing patience, ”said Fracalossi.
In a statement, a spokesman for Mayor Kim Janey said:
“Boston’s inner mask mandate is helping to slow the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant among vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Mayor Janey will continue to track public health data, support local businesses, and ask everyone to do their part to help restore, reopen and rejuvenate Boston from the ongoing pandemic.
Gym owners say they can easily prove vaccination status.
“98.5% of our community is vaccinated,” said Fracalossi. “We can notify you of your next booking with pop-up notifications on your phone to upload a vaccination record, done.”
However, if the universal mask mandate persists and there is no more support, she says this is going to have some very difficult times ahead.
“As a business owner, this is where the finish line is and there doesn’t seem to be any relief on the horizon,” she said.
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