Request for pandemic-affected gyms to be given tax incentives, rebates

KUALA LUMPUR – National Sports and Fitness Venue Owners and Operators Association (NSFVOOA) recommends that gym operators who have been affected by the pandemic be provided tax incentives and rebates by the government.

KUALA LUMPUR – National Sports and Fitness Venue NSFVOOA president, Datuk V. Radhakrishnan (pictured above), said these incentives would help for a smoother transition after sanitisation works are conducted and operations can be resumed.

In an interview with The Vibes, he added that they are also working closely with the Youth and Sports Ministry to compile the necessary data required to obtain approval from the Health Ministry (MOH) and National Securities Council (NSC).

“We have recently submitted to the ministry our initial report containing comprehensive data on the implications of Covid-19 on the fitness industry.

“They have been very cooperative and are working hard to get our report across to the National Securities Council, who will make the final decision after studying the matter closely,” said Radhakrishnan.

Radhakrishnan added that the report included information on the total losses, level of unemployment, and number of Covid-19 cases faced by gym operators.

Meanwhile, Youth and Sports minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, told The Vibes that any decision to reopen sports venues and fitness centres had to be based on the approval of the Health Ministry and NSC.

“We are hoping to get the gyms and other sporting facilities to reopen with strict SOPs in place. However, we can’t give a timeline as to when this will happen as we have to first present our argument to MOH and NSC.

“If you ask me, I think it would be great if we could reopen these centres,” said Faizal.

To ensure a safe environment for everyone, Radhakrishnan advises all gym operators to adhere to SOPs, including but not limited to, allowing entry for only fully vaccinated staff and customers.

He said he will be furnishing them with more reports on the situation regarding the operation of gym and fitness centres when he meets with the ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Nor Azman Taib, this weekend.

It is understood that there are 200 sports facilities and 300 fitness centres nationwide. – The Vibes, September 2, 2021.