‘The time is now’: NC gym owners plan legal action against Cooper’s order

NORTH CAROLINA — Organizers of a newly created Facebook group plan to take Gov. Roy Cooper’s decision to leave gyms out of Phase Two to court, according to our news partners WTVD.

The group is known as “ReOpen NC’s Health Clubs” and after being active on Facebook for three days, it has more than 6,000 members from across the state.

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Gym owners have grown restless since they learned last week they wouldn’t be reopening in Phase 2, something many facilities were anticipating.

Cooper decided to hold off on allowing gyms to reopen in Phase Two because he said gyms were a greater risk of the spread of COVID-19.

Under Phase Two, indoor dining at restaurants, pools and personal care services could reopen but not without some changes such as limited capacity and strict safety guidelines.

It is unclear when we will be able to enter Phase 3 and what will be able to reopen in that phase.

Gym owners like Kelli and Paul Humphreys, who are part of the group and own 11 Fit4Life locations around North Carolina, argue they can keep their facilities sanitized and offer precautions to ensure gyms are safe.

“We’ve put all that precautions in place to make sure that it’s a safe, comfortable environment where they have no fear of germs being spread,” Kelli Humphrey said.

Gyms will have to wait to reopen Gyms will have to wait to reopen

Ed Smith, another gym owner and organizer of the group, said they have hired an attorney and they plan to take legal action Wednesday.

So far, the group has raised nearly $24,000 to help pay for legal fees.

Smith said he hopes the group can be in front of a judge by the end of the week to “let him know we’re not going to stand for this.”

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This comes weeks after a judge temporarily blocked Cooper’s ruling for churches, allowing them to reopen until a hearing on May 29.

The Humphreys said legal action against Cooper’s decision proves that the fitness industry is essential and their rights are being infringed upon.

“You know, the time is now, and we need to get open for our members. But also, for our employees,” Paul Humphrey said.

On Tuesday, Cooper called gyms flouting state rules “dangerous.”

“We would ask everyone to abide by the rules set by people who understand the health arena,” he said. “It’s deeply disturbing when people ignore the order.”

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