'Posing A Threat To Public Health': Atilis Gym In Bellmawr Shut Down By Health Department After Reopening In Defiance Of Gov. Murphy's Stay-At-Home Order
BELLMAWR, N.J. (CBS) - A New Jersey gym that has been open in defiance of the governor's stay-at-home order has been shut down by the health department and is "not approved to reopen." Signs from state and local health officials were on the doors of Atilis Gym in Bellmawr on Thursday morning.
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According to health experts, gyms present a particularly high risk of spreading COVID-19 because people inside typically have an increase in respiratory activity.
The owners say their toilets were clogged Wednesday by paper towels and their bathrooms were flooded. They tell Eyewitness News it seems suspicious and they are working on fixing the issue.
The notice of closure was posted on the gym doors Wednesday night.
"How is it possible that they can actually shut down. If there is a problem based on the coronavirus, how can they shut us down but no other businesses in the same actual building? And it's unconstitutional and targeting, and we are going to stand up and fight," said co-owner Frank Trumbetti.
The New Jersey Health Department said in an order that the gym "is not approved to reopen" and that it is "posing a threat to the public health by failing to adhere to the measures taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19."
READ THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S ORDER
Atilis opened Monday, defying Gov. Murphy's order. The owners were cited for the last three days for reopening their gym to protest the state's shutdown orders.
They claimed they were taking sufficient precautions to keep clients and staff safe.
The owners say they will not violate the health department order and will not reopen today but they plan on reopening on Friday.
