Quebec gym owners back down on threat to defy COVID-19 orders, call for protests

A group of Quebec fitness centre owners says its members are no longer planning to open Thursday in defiance of the government's lockdown orders.

The owners released a statement today calling on their clients to instead join them in a series of protests outside their gyms and fitness studios on Thursday.

On Monday, a coalition of more than 250 gym owners threatened to open their doors this week, prompting a warning from Premier Francois Legault that they and their clients would be fined.

This week Legault extended lockdown orders across regions under the government's highest pandemic-alert levels, including Montreal and Quebec City, from Oct. 28 to Nov. 23.

Bars, restaurant dining areas, gyms and entertainment venues have been ordered to close.

The gym owners say their protests on Thursday will conform to the provincial COVID-19 health regulations.