An unlicensed Kelowna martial arts studio has drawn the ire of a national fitness group for its anti-vaccine and anti-mask policies.
Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 Flow Academy made headlines last week after a notice posted to their website garnered social media attention. The gym listed several uncited claims about COVID-19 vaccines and said it wouldn91裸聊视频檛 entertain membership applications from people who had received the jab, nor would it allow people to wear masks in its facility.
Currently, only individual and one-on-one fitness is allowed to operate in B.C., with physical distancing and masks mandated. Group exercise as a whole, both low- and high-intensity, is not allowed under current provincial health orders.
91裸聊视频淧ublic health officials want us open; they want us serving our public91裸聊视频檚 mental and physical health. So, we need to support them back by abiding by the guidelines and restrictions they give us so we can remain open,91裸聊视频� said Carl Ulmer, who alongside Sara Hodson co-chairs the B.C. coalition of the Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC).
The FIC represents more than 6,000 fitness facilities across the country and has been working with public health officials throughout the pandemic to represent the industry91裸聊视频檚 interests. Hodson said the controversy Flow Academy has conjured shines a negative light on the fitness industry that is not indicative of how most B.C. gyms are operating.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 so disappointing to see that people are risking what we have worked really hard in this province to do 91裸聊视频� to keep at least a level of fitness open and keep it accessible to British Columbians,91裸聊视频� said Hodson.
91裸聊视频淚 want to stress that it is not a typical situation, what we91裸聊视频檙e seeing in Kelowna. This is a one-off 91裸聊视频� The majority of fitness is absolutely complying with the standards put out by the provincial government.91裸聊视频�
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The City of Kelowna is currently weighing its options to take action against Flow Academy, as it is currently operating without a business licence 91裸聊视频� which has earned it two $500 fines from the city. The business recently applied for a licence, but the city denied that request as they91裸聊视频檙e breaking the law by not adhering to provincial health orders.
91裸聊视频淲e are considering further enforcement action,91裸聊视频� said the city91裸聊视频檚 risk manager Lance Kayfish. 91裸聊视频淣ow is certainly not the time to be acting out of step with provincial health orders.91裸聊视频�
Interior Health (IH) previously issued an order and a ticket to Flow Academy for non-compliance with provincial health orders in February. The health authority is again following up with the academy due to 91裸聊视频渙ngoing concerns and additional complaints.91裸聊视频�
The Capital News has reached out to Flow Academy for comment but has not received a response.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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