Gyms were one of many business that had to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now as the delta variant spread across the U.S., many small business owners are looking to find ways to stay open.
For Row Republic, a gym in Boston, that means requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for members and staff.
“COVID’s something we’re probably going to be living with for some amount of time,” said co-founder Joey Tagliente. “We wanted to make a bullet-proof policy that we didn’t have to keep changing with every season.”
The requirement, which takes effect starting Aug. 9 for all staff, trainers and clients.
He told MassLive during an interview with MassLive on Friday that almost all of his staff and customers have been extremely happy with the policy.
“It’s for us to run business as usual,” he said, adding that he is willing to work with those who are unable to get the vaccine due to medical or religious reasons.
In May, the gym started checking vaccine cards to verify qualifications to workout in the facility without a mask. Now, however, the gym is taking it a step further and requiring the vaccine.
“We felt like this is pretty good,” he said, referring to the requirements they set out in May. “But this gets us to the best possible standard of safety and customer experience.”
Beyond the health aspects, Tagliente said, it’s also “pro-business.” But it’s not about politics, he added.
“There’s a lot of Democratic business owners. There’s a lot of Republican business owners,” said Tagliente. “And I’m sure if you ask them if their business was negatively affected by this, they would be doing similar efforts to try and create policies that allows them to operate at full capacity.”
In a public Facebook post on the business page, Tagliente called on other businesses to do the same.
“We are calling this effort #VAX100,” the gym wrote. “We are optimistic and hopeful that other studios, businesses, and private sector organizations will join us in helping to increase vaccination as well as ensure the safest possible environment for our customers. Your time at our studio will be one in a setting that is the safest one possible.”
Tagliente said it’s important to note that they’re not upset with businesses who don’t join the #VAX100.
“That’s not what this is about,” he said. “It was more, we’re taking these steps. These are the protocols we’re taking. This is the research we’re taking. If you think this could work for your business, come on and join the initiative.”
He said they are happy to see how high the vaccine rates in Massachusetts have been but that if more business join in, the rate could be even higher.
And they’re not alone.
Gov. Charlie Baker recently announced the COVID-19 vaccine will be mandated for staff at Massachusetts long-term care facilities. It’s also mandated for those who work at…
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