The manager of a popular Auckland gym visited by a COVID-19 case says it's safe for members to return - but he's advising those who attended the same classes to get a test.
Les Mills Takapuna was one of three public venues visited by the case last week on Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10. The others were a Countdown supermarket and a Warehouse store in the adjacent North Shore suburb of Milford.
The person attended three classes - a SPRINT and BODYCOMBAT class (5:30pm and 6:15pm) on Wednesday evening, and a further BODYCOMBAT class on Thursday morning (9:15am) - before testing positive for the virus.
Club manager Peter Pearless said in a statement Les Mills has been advised by Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) that it's safe for people who weren't in the gym around the same time to return.
This is because a number of deep cleans have been conducted since the case attended, and the gym has also undergone additional cleaning in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines.
On Sunday night, Pearless said the gym was undergoing another full deep clean, followed by an anti-viral fogging treatment.
"I'm really sorry for the stress this may cause you," Pearless wrote. "We are committed to being extra cautious and informative, given this concerns your health."
ARPHS considers those who attended any of the same classes as close contacts. In an email to members, Pearless warned these people are at greater risk of becoming unwell.
"If you attended one of these classes, you are advised to stay at home and ring Healthline as soon as possible for advice on next steps and to arrange testing," he said.
Those who weren't in the same classes but attended the gym around the same time as the case - between around 5:15pm and 7pm on Wednesday and 9am and 10:15am on Thursday - are considered casual contacts.
"While casual contacts are considered at lower risk of becoming unwell, ARPHS is recommending that these people also call Healthline and arrange to have a one-off test," Pearless said.
"They should also remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, but do not need to self-isolate unless they become unwell."
Were you at these places?
Based on the investigations to date, the exact locations and times of the visits are as follows.
- Countdown Milford, Milford, Auckland, Thursday 10 September: 11:45am - 12 noon
- The Warehouse Milford, Milford, Auckland, Thursday 10 September: 11am - 11:15am
- Les Mills Takapuna, Takapuna, Auckland, Wednesday 9 September: 5:30pm RPM Sprint class and 6:15pm Body Combat class
- Les Mills Takapuna, Takapuna, Auckland: Thursday 10 September, 9:15am Body Combat class
People who have scanned in to these places using the NZ COVID Tracer app will also receive an alert via the app by the end of Monday.
