Oxford Shuts Off Water, Electricity To Gym Refusing To Close

OXFORD, MA — The town of Oxford took a major step in shutting down a local gym opened during the coronavirus shutdown. On Thursday, the town shut off water and electricity to Prime Fitness and Nutrition, according to WHDH.

Gym owner Dave Blondin opened the gym in mid-May in defiance of Gov. Charlie Baker's order that health centers remain closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Blondin appeared in Worcester Superior Court on Tuesday, where a judge granted Oxford the power to shut the facility down.

Blondin is facing fines, but he contends his gym is safe due to social distancing and having sanitizer stationed throughout the space. He's organizing a protest this Saturday to advocate for his gym to stay open.

Gyms in Massachusetts will be allowed to reopen at some point, likely in phase three of Baker's reopening plan. That phase might not happen until early July or later.