Hi dear folks,

Thank-you for complying with all of our Pandemic Protocols and helping us stay open to take care of you.  

I'm sure you are aware that a new Public Health Order (law) comes into effect on Friday, November 6, 2020.  This law states that masks must be worn indoors at all times. 

The full order can be found here: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/health-care-administration-and-provider-resources/treatment-procedures-and-guidelines/emerging-public-health-issues/2019-novel-coronavirus/public-health-measures/public-health-orders#current-public-health-orders

At Brownstone Health & Fitness, we are primarily a healthcare facility, and will adhere to the law as such.  Therefore, while this PHO is in effect, masks must be worn for the entirety of all healthcare appointments AND exercise sessions.  We are aware that recreational facilities are allowing clients to remove their masks during their fitness sessions, but with our directional traffic flow going through our gym area, and with the majority of our square footage designated as healthcare, we are requiring clients to wear masks during their ENTIRE fitness sessions.

While we realize that masks are uncomfortable until you get used to them, we have the responsibility to do everything we possibly can to protect everyone in our facility.  We have staff that are immunocompromised, and staff that are looking after elderly family members.  We have staff with high-risk children.  Unlike a regular gym, which caters to a healthy population, our facility provides care to the entire public- healthy or not.  Please respect our urgent desire to protect them.  

The good news is that while perhaps uncomfortable, you are safe to exercise with a mask.  Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan have recently published their research entitled: Wearing of Cloth or Disposable Surgical Face Masks has no Effect on Vigorous Exercise Performance in Healthy Individuals in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.  Here is the link to the full article: 

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/8110/htm

We are continuing with all of our previous Pandemic Protocols, including a Covid-19 Pre-Screen to be completed BEFORE you enter the facility, recording of your body temperature, having you wash your hands with soap and water prior to treatment, encouraging paperless transactions, discouraging waiting in the facility and bringing guests to your sessions.

For those of you that are not comfortable with our requirements, that is ok- we are keeping our Virtual Health appointments available for Mental Health, Physiotherapy and Exercise Therapy. 

Respectfully,

 

Daysha Shuya 

Clinical Director