Hillside Physical Health and Fitness voluntarily closed its doors following a COVID-19 exposure. (Facebook/Hillside Physical Health and Fitness)

By Teena Monteleone

Workout Caution

Local business temporarily closes after COVID-19 exposure: ‘We’ll always err on the side of caution’

Oct 27, 2020 | 1:39 PM

Since the government lifted restrictions and allowed gyms and other businesses to reopen in May, Hillside Physical Health and Fitness took safety protocols seriously.

“What we were doing was probably overkill,” said co-owner and physiotherapist Keith Zawislak. “It’s actually something that our facility has really taken a lot of pride in is the use of our PPE and our cleaning methods and screening process for patients and gym members and staff.”

That’s why having to close their doors due to a recent COVID-19 exposure is even more crushing.

“We’ve worked really, really hard at this throughout the whole pandemic so its just emotional and stressful because we’re trying to do the right thing,” he said. “We want everyone to be safe and get the physical therapy treatment they need and deserve and to use our facility and the gym as they normally would or within the guidelines that have been placed out for us to follow.”

Zawislak said they learned about the COVID-19 exposure late Monday afternoon after an employee tested positive. Any patients who had contact with the employee have already been notified by Hillside. They decided to shut down on their own until public health can advise them on the proper course of action.

education

Auditor finds non-compliance with international trip, credit card and expense claims at Northlands College

2h ago

Court proceedings

Drugs and weapons bust in Stanley Mission, results in two year sentence

21h ago

health care

La Loche recipient of new portable blood analyzer, printer kit

23h ago

“Public health is doing contract tracing and they need to gather as much information as they can to give us exactly what we need to do to ensure public safety,” Zawislak said.

Since Hillside Physical Health and Fitness was so thorough with cleaning protocols, Zawislak believes the risk of transmission is low but said they’ll be reviewing all of their measures with public health to ensure safety of patients, staff and the public.

“Its just unfortunate that something like this happens and its stressful and emotional because we’ve tried so hard,” he said.

Until he hears from public health on next steps, Zawislak couldn’t put a date on when the facility will reopen.

“We’ll always err on the side of caution to protect the public and our staff. It’s unfortunate, but the responsible thing to do.”

—

teena.monteleone@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MonteleoneTeena