WASHINGTON — VIDA Fitness will require proof of vaccination for people and customers entering its fitness facilities, according to a news release from the company.
The announcement by VIDA comes as a variety of businesses and establishments have started to require vaccination proof for customers and patrons.
VIDA Fitness said it believes that proof of vaccination requirement to go indoors can reduce hospitalizations by 90% and virtually eliminate deaths, according to its news release.
The company spoke about how its decision is based on the delta variant hitting communities in the DMV and its belief that the mask mandates in D.C. are not fully what is needed to combat the spread — VIDA, and many health officials, believe vaccinations are the answer.
"To date, Mayor Bowser has not supported a citywide vaccination requirement for fitness facilities. As a result, we have decided to move forward with our own mandatory vaccination requirement here at VIDA," said the company. "
While this pandemic has been unpredictable and unrelenting, we must continue to follow the data and science in making the best decisions for public health."
Currently, VIDA had six locations in the greater Washington, D.C. area. The company has reported that a recent member survey shows that over 98% of VIDA Members are fully vaccinated.
The US Surgeon General recently reported that over 97% of delta variant hospitalizations were from unvaccinated individuals.
WUSA9 will continue to provide updates on places in the DMV requiring proof of vaccination as information comes into our newsroom.
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The Mayor’s current mandate requires masks indoors but does not advance the vaccination effort. Further, the mask mandate will not reduce community spread in places like bars and restaurants where patrons remove their masks. These environments are known sources of community spread, and thus, the proof of vaccination requirement is a more effective alternative.
Fitness facilities on the other hand, have not been a source of community spread throughout the pandemic, with or without a mask mandate. The DCFA has aggregated check-in data and reported cases over the past 18 months that supports these statements. As a side note, our recent member survey shows that over 98% of VIDA Members are fully vaccinated ... no doubt a tremendous factor in the zero community spread we have at our 6 locations.
The delta variant has indeed infected fully vaccinated individuals. However, breakthrough cases very rarely result in serious health issues or hospitalization. The US Surgeon General recently reported that over 97% of delta variant hospitalizations were from unvaccinated individuals.
DC's fitness facilities are not a source of community spread. They are where people go to stay healthy and fight off infection. Mask mandates keep people away from these facilities. Our stance is simple ... Require vaccinations. Make masks optional. We applaud the decision of DC gay bars to require proof of vaccination. It is absolutely the right decision, and it should be a citywide mandate.
While this pandemic has been unpredictable and unrelenting, we must continue to follow the data and science in making the best decisions for public health. We also need to keep the city open and our citizens engaged in fitness.