Going maskless at the gym significantly increases risk of Covid-19 transmission, new report finds

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  A crossfit gym in preparation for reopening in May in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Gyms and sporting facilities were allowed to open in Dubai from May. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  However, all gyms must follow strict safety measures. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Social distancing rules still apply, with a mandatory two-metre distance required at all times. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Gyms and other sports facilities face strict new regulations when they reopen in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  All equipment must be sterilised between use. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Gyms were allowed to operate at a 50 per cent capacity from May in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Equipment should be spaced to enable social distancing. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Facilities such as showers and changing rooms remained closed. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Health authorities urged people to wear face masks when visiting gyms after reports found public exercise centres were the source of Covid-19 outbreaks.

Two studies, published by the US Centres for Disease and Prevention, showed that going maskless when working out put people at higher risk of contracting the disease.

In two separate cases, significant outbreaks during the summer were linked to gyms in Chicago and Honolulu.

In the Chicago report, 68 per cent of gym-goers, who attended in-person fitness classes at one gym between August 24 and September 1, tested positive for Covid-19.

Among 58 exercise class attendees who provided information on in-class behaviours, 44 reported infrequent mask use

“Covid-19 cases were identified among 55 of 81 attendees of in-person classes,” the report said.

“Twenty-two attendees with Covid-19 participated in classes on or after the day symptoms started.

“Among 58 exercise class attendees who provided information on in-class behaviours, 44 reported infrequent mask use.

"Overall, 43 attendees with Covid-19 participated in multiple classes while potentially infectious."

The outbreak occurred even though capacity for exercise classes was capped at 25 per cent, with only 10 to 15 people present in each class.

The findings proved that carelessness about masks and symptoms could lead to more outbreaks.

Researchers said heavy breathing during intense physical activity in small spaces increased the chances of transmission.

They suggested that gym-goers either wear masks correctly at all times, or move workouts outdoors or online.

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  French policemen walk past warning tape on the 'Promenade des Anglais' of the French riviera city of Nice, as the French government announced two weekends of confinement from February 26 in the coastal strip of Alpes-Maritimes to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. AFP

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  Health staff attends to a patient at the coronavirus disease dedicated ICU unit of the Tras-Os-Montes E Alto Douro Hospital in Vila Real, Portugal. Reuters

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  Health workers wait to receive the CoronaVac vaccine, developed by China’s Sinovac firm, as the first batch of vaccines are administered to frontline health workers at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Bangkok. EPA

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  French Gendarmes try to disperse Parisians, out in their droves, as they gather along the River Seine that runs through the centre of the capital Paris. France has so far avoided a third lockdown to battle Covid-19 but, with case numbers starting to rise, the government of President Emmanuel Macron is beginning to impose restrictions on a local basis. AFP

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  Nikola Marova, first soloist of The Czech National Ballet, and Czech popular band Mig21, performs during a rehearsal for a live broadcast at the National Theatre in Prague, Czech Republic. EPA

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  Aura Rojas De Castaneda, 98, with her daughter Edna Dambruuoso and grand daughter Michelle Dambruoso, after getting her coronavirus disease vaccination at an event organised by the Mexican consulate and local health officials in Atlanta, Georgia, US. Reuters

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  People protest against the government of President Alberto Fernandez, following a scandal over coronavirus vaccine queue-jumping that forced his health minister to resign, in front of the Casa Rosada presidencial palace in Buenos Aires. AFP

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  People look at the movie choices available at a cinema as Quebec allows the reopening of movie theatres but not the selling of food and drinks, which includes popcorn, during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Montreal, Canada. Reuters

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  Kingfield Stadium featuring florescent dots to aid social distancing prior to the FA Trophy match between Woking FC and Torquay United at Kingfield Stadium in Woking, England. Getty Images

In another case, all 10 people who attended a spinning class at a gym in Honolulu contracted the virus.

Health officials linked the outbreak to a male fitness instructor who led the class just hours before the onset of his first symptoms.

One of the participants who became infected was a 46-year-old fitness instructor from another gym who was later admitted to a hospital's intensive care unit.

“This outbreak reinforces the need for combined Covid-19 prevention strategies, including universal mask use in public settings … especially indoors,” the report said.

“In addition, the potential for infected persons to infect others between their testing date and receipt of test result reinforces the need to quarantine while waiting for a Covid-19 test result and avoid gatherings while unknowingly infectious.”

This month, the UAE introduced a series of new restrictions designed to slow the spread of Covid-19.

In Abu Dhabi, capacity at gyms was limited to 50 per cent and in Dubai many exercise centres across the city cut class sizes and installed plastic dividers between equipment.

As part of ongoing inspections by the Department of Economic Development in Dubai, several gyms have been shut for breaching Covid-19 safety rules.

As it stands in the UAE, people taking part in heavy exercise do not have to wear a mask.

However, as in the latest CDC reports, it is recommended that people wear nose and mouth coverings at all times to limit the spread of infection when working out indoors.