Glendale gym is 1st gym ordered to close by health department over COVID-19 regulations

The Arizona Department of Health Services ordered the first gym — Fitness 1 Gym in Glendale — to close on Thursday after violations to state mandates on COVID-19 were found.

A notice from the state health department indicated Fitness 1 Gym had not applied for or been approved for re-opening under state guidelines, but opened anyway. 

"By continuing to operate, Fitness 1 Gym located at 3515 W. Union Hills Dr., Glendale, AZ 85308, is in violation of Executive Orders 2020-43 and 2020-52, Emergency Measure 2020-02, and the applicable Guidelines, and thus is jeopardizing the health, safety, and welfare of the public," the ADHS said in their notice to the gym.

The orders and measures outlined in the notice posted by ADHS speak to slowing the spread of COVID-19 by mandating businesses to close down or follow specific reopening procedures. Gyms and fitness centers had been allowed to open after applying and being approved for reopening, since August. 

To reopen, businesses had to sign an online form agreeing to comply with safety requirements, which include limiting parties to no more than 10 and closing dance floors. The health department is asking the public to report violators by calling the tip line at 844-410-2157 or online at the ADHS Business Compliance page. These procedures are similar for restaurants and bars in the Valley.

The notice indicates that Fitness 1 Gym is to remain closed until granted permission to reopen, and that violation of these orders will result in legal consequences. 

Identified COVID-19 cases in Arizona rose by 4,471 on Friday to 291,696, and known deaths rose by 43 to 6,427, according to the daily report from the Arizona Department of Health Services. It's the second day in a row where new cases have been above 4,000.

Reach breaking news reporter Brooke Newman at brooke.newman@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @brookerae17.