Maskless workout at Metro Vancouver mall protests gym closures (VIDEO)

A group of demonstrators clad in exercise gear gathered at a Metro Vancouver mall on Saturday for a high-intensity workout protesting the closure of gyms in BC due to Omicron.

The colourful protesters at Metrotown Mall in Burnaby, BC carried signs saying “fitness is essential” and did burpees, pushups, and jumping jacks in the mall before a security guard approached and talked to them.

@kirstinelizabethd Metrotown Mall HIIT Demonstration To end gym mandates.#freecanada #fitnessisessential #mentalhealthmatters #openupcanada #freebc #exerciseismedicine ♬ We’re Not Gonna Take It – Twisted Sister

“I’m sure without explaining it, you can all agree, these mandates in effect do absolutely nothing to improve our mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual health, nor improve immunity,” workout leader Vanessa Stone wrote on Instagram.

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The demonstrators didn’t wear masks during their workout, even though masks are currently mandatory in all public indoor spaces in BC.

Stone added in an Instagram story that she hopes gyms will be exempt from vaccine passport rules, which she called “segregation passports.” There is no indication that BC gyms will be exempt from the vaccine certificate system.

 

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Daily Hive has reached out to Stone for further comment but has not yet heard back.

Gyms and fitness centres in BC have been closed since December 22, when the province announced restrictions to slow the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. The public health order was set to expire on January 18, but the BC government quietly removed the expiration date from the order Monday afternoon.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is scheduled to announce whether restrictions will remain or be lifted at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

The previous December 22nd orders had end dates of 12:01 am, Tuesday, January 18. Dr. Henry will be providing an update on the new orders on Tuesday, January 18 – this updated order was made to ensure the order remained in place until Dr. Henry spoke about them on Tuesday.

— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) January 18, 2022