Hong Kong sports center owners get back on their feet after COVID-19 shutdown

Top-down measures may have caused other health problems

By Kim Bo-eun

HONG KONG ― During Hong Kong's fifth COVID-19 wave, when basically all establishments were closed in the evenings and there was little to do outside of the home except for taking a stroll in parks, one could easily spot trainers with their trainees there.

What appeared to be nice outdoor sessions were actually trainers trying to survive through the four-month shutdown of sports centers from January through April of this year.

Following the outbreak of the pandemic in early 2020, these facilities were closed for a total of 10 months.

"It felt much longer than that because, throughout the pandemic, people have been concerned about contracting the virus, even during the times we were open, and opted not to come for sessions," said Master No Rae, who set up a Taekwondo center in Hung Hom in 2016.

"During the shutdown, we visited homes to offer smaller, one-on-one classes, but many did not want to take part because of more expensive fees. Online classes did not really work either, because due to the nature of Taekwondo, physical presence with the master is important," No said.

Marco Lam demonstrates how to use a machine at his gym, M Program, in Ma On Shan, Hong Kong, May 25. Korea Times photo by Kim Bo-eun

As a means to support these businesses, the Hong Kong government provided a series of rent subsidies. But the process was conducted in a top-down way without public discussion or consultation with those affected and the same amounts were paid out to all sports centers regardless of size. In comparison, the government provided subsidies according to size for restaurants.

For some of the larger centers paying monthly rents that reached up to HKD 700,000 ($89,216), they had no option but to liquidate their assets. International gym chain Fitness First pulled out of Hong Kong in March, closing all eight of its centers.

For No, the government's subsidies accounted for only 38 percent of the actual rent he was paying over the four months, as he also operates another center in Ma On Shan.

Marco Lam, who runs three gyms in Hong Kong, was in a similar situation. However, this time, he opted not to do any outdoor or zoom classes to reduce operating costs. He, like No, relied on savings to cover rent.

Seeking recovery amid uncertainty

A month since reopening on April 21, the sports center operators are seeking to recover from the past months of losses.

Most establishments lost former members due to the exodus of Hong Kong residents leaving the city for political reasons and because of the government's COVID-19 response, particularly during its worst COVID-19 wave in March.

No said he has seen about 75 percent of the students return. Lam has spent money on advertising since reopening his gyms to attract more customers.

However, apart from the shutdown, it was the uncertainty business owners had to live with that made the situation tougher ― as they were unable to predict how continuously changing policies would unfold.

"We were waiting each time for the government to unveil its latest policy regarding COVID restrictions," No said, stating this kept him from taking any long-term steps.

Master No Rae of NRG Taekwondo Korea, ties his belt before a class at his center in Hung Hom, Hong Kong, May 25. Korea Times photo by Kim Bo-eun

The city's health experts earlier this month stated it is possible it could get hit by a sixth wave within weeks. While some others downplay the concerns, stating that Hong Kong now has built an immunity barrier through most people having received at least two shots. The elderly are being encouraged to get third and fourth shots, and business owners remain on alert.

"They said at the beginning of the fifth wave that there was no need for excessive concern," Sunny Ip, who runs a boxing club in Central with Leslie Wong, said. Yet the fifth wave, which unfolded earlier this year, turned out to be the deadliest outbreak for Hong Kong.

Taekwondo master No had been planning to open a third center but the uncertainty has kept him from pushing through with his plans.

"Existing students will gradually return and new ones will join over time, but the most difficult part for us is the uncertainty over the government's policies," he said. "We could continue to see more variants emerge but it will be impossible to foresee what steps the government will take."

Additional concerns have arisen over the outbreak of monkeypox, caused by a virus in the same family as that of smallpox, in Europe, North America, Australia and the Middle East.

Leslie Wong, left, warms up with Sunny Ip, before sessions begin in the afternoon at the G.O.A.T Boxing Club in Central, Hong Kong, on May 19. Korea Times photo by Kim Bo-eun

Why did sports centers have to close?

Some sports center owners question the fairness of the government's policies, as restaurants and cafes were allowed to operate until 6 p.m. during the same period, while sports centers and fourteen other types of facilities ― from bars and clubs to museums, performance venues, beauty parlors, game centers, bathhouses and swimming pools, among others ― were shut.

"It's not like sports centers are more prone to spreading the virus than restaurants or cafes, given people exercise with their masks on," No said.

Wong of the boxing club said cutting access to people working out at gyms may have had a mental toll in addition to a physical toll on people's health.

"The government said we need to keep healthy, need to think about mental health, but then made the sports centers shut down," he said. "People think of boxing as a violent sport, but it is a professional sport and good outlet for stress relief."

Lam shared a not-so-funny funny story. His third gym is rented out to trainers, and they are required to do a face scan to enter the facility.

"One of the trainers couldn't get in after doing a face scan, because he had gained so much weight during the months the gym was closed," he said.

Lam said that the Hong Kong government's COVID-19 measures most likely kept many people at home, eating and watching TV, which might have caused health problems.