Oregon fines gym $90K for violating COVID order

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials have fined a fitness business $90,000 for defying Gov. Kate Brown’s COVID-19 order and remaining open throughout a current two-week freeze.

The Statesman Journal reports officials with Oregon Occupational Safety & Health said the penalty is the result of citations against each of the four facilities operated by Courthouse Club Fitness. People at the business did not immediately respond to request for comment Wednesday.

Before the statewide freeze went into effect on Nov. 18, gym owner John Miller said in a statement that a second shutdown would push his business to the breaking point.

“As a result of the harm done to our business from the first shutdown, we will not survive another closure,” Miller said. “This is a horrible position I find myself in, and it leaves me with only one choice. Courthouse Club Fitness will remain open (Nov. 18) and the days to follow.”

On Wednesday, Brown said 21 Oregon counties will continue to be under restrictions when a two-week “freeze” expires Dec. 3. Indoor gyms will remain closed.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, about 50 citations have been issued to businesses for not complying with parts of the pandemic orders by OSHA, which is designed to protect employees.