Covid-19 breach: Anytime Fitness gym with suspected Omicron cluster ordered shut for 10 days, fined S$1,000

SINGAPORE — The Anytime Fitness gym at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, where a suspected cluster of the Omicron coronavirus variant was found, has been fined S$1,000 and ordered to shut for 10 days, the national sports governing body said on Thursday (Dec 23).

Investigations by Sport Singapore revealed that the gym had failed to put in place procedures and controls to ensure that its patrons adhere to Covid-19 safety measures.

The closure took effect on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Monday identified the gym as a suspected Omicron Covid-19 cluster after three cases were linked to it.

Of the three patients identified, two of them were found to have the viral strain in early tests, while the test result of the third case was pending.

The three had no recent travel history and investigations found that they visited the gym between Dec 15 and 17, MOH said on Monday.

Staff members and visitors of the gym identified as close contacts of the Covid-19 cases would be quarantined, while other visitors to the gym between Dec 15 and 17 would have to take a Covid-19 swab test.

Sport Singapore on Thursday urged all sport and fitness operators as well as patrons to stay vigilant and adhere strictly to Covid-19 regulations to keep the community safe.

"Enforcement action will be taken against businesses or individuals who fail to comply with the safe-management measures," it said.