A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) said today (April 15) that the Government will launch the "Fitness Centre Subsidy Scheme" (the Scheme) under the second phase of the "Anti-epidemic Fund" to provide relief to fitness centre operators to help tide them over their financial difficulties arising from the suspension of their operation pursuant to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (the Regulation) (Cap. 599F).
      
     The Scheme aims to provide a one-off subsidy of $100,000 to the operator of each affected fitness centre. It is expected to benefit more than 1 600 fitness centres. The spokesperson appeals to the Legislative Council Finance Committee for the early approval of the subsidy.
      
     The HAB will continue to maintain close liaison with the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China as well as the respective national sports associations and take into account their views when finalising the details of the Scheme with a view to providing appropriate support to the fitness centres and practitioners as early as possible.
      
     According to the Regulation, fitness centres refer to any premises that provide exercise machines or equipment for use and/or provide advice, instruction, training or assistance (including bodybuilding, dancing, yoga, pilates or body stretching and martial arts) on improving physical fitness.

Ends/Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Issued at HKT 21:22

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