High Country Times

Gyms and fitness centers wanting to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic received a setback in the North Carolina General Assembly last month. 

Legislation that would have allowed gyms and fitness centers to resume operations following a 15-point health and safety plan was rejected by Democrats, House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) posted to his website on June 24. 

"It is unfortunate the other side of the aisle is unwilling to provide a lifeline to family businesses hanging by a thread as a result of Gov. [Roy] Cooper’s scattershot executive orders," Moore said in a statement on his website. "We must have a balanced approach that prioritizes both public health and economic relief to address the pandemic facing our state."

Cooper used his executive authority to veto the initial legislation, Moore said on his website. Lawmakers voted to overturn the governor's veto but the measure failed generally along party lines, except for one Democrat who sided with Republicans. 

The legislation would have also allowed restaurants and beverage businesses to operate at 50% capacity and treat them equally, Moore posted to his website. The vetoed policy provided the governor the ability to close businesses should COVID-19 cases spike albeit with the Council of State approval. The governor used his executive authority to shut down most businesses in the early stages of COVID-19 in North Carolina. 

Gyms and fitness centers were originally slated to reopen under Cooper's Phase 2 plan, but he changed course keeping the businesses closed, Moore posted to his website. 

In response to the veto, the president of the North Carolina Bar and Tavern Association, Zack Medford, said "The governor’s decision is effectively signing a death warrant for 1,063 bars across North Carolina while offering zero relief to the small-business owners or their employees," North Carolina House of Representatives District 94 Republican candidate Jeffery Elmore posted to his Facebook page on June 25.