NJ Gym That Repeatedly Defied Murphy May Reopen: Officials

BELLMAWR, NJ — A South Jersey gym whose license was rescinded after repeatedly defying Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order may reopen along with the rest of the gyms in the state on Tuesday, according to officials.

Atilis Gym in Bellmawr will be allowed to reopen on Tuesday if it meets conditions that were laid out in a revised closure order from the State Department of Health, according to the state Attorney General’s Office.

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli filed an amended closure order late last week that would allow the gym to reopen, following certain requirements. The gym must:

• follow the rules regarding 25 percent capacity inside;
• follow the social distancing guidelines;
• limit the number of people allowed in restrooms and locker rooms;
• follow strict cleaning and sanitizing procedures;
• require face coverings for employees and customers;
• immediately separate and send home any employees who test positive for the coronavirus; and
• require that reservations, cancellations and pre-payments be made by phone or electronic means to limit the amount of contact between members and employees.

Smith and Trumbetti have not made any public statements about the amended closure order as of Monday morning.

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The amended order came after Gov. Phil Murphy said gyms will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity, and customers have to wear masks, beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

On Monday, the state filed an amended compliance order, stating that a barrier that was previously called for is no longer necessary as long as Atilis Gym remains in compliance. It also says a previously mandated daily fine of $15,497.76 should remain in effect if the gym's owners violate any part of the amended order.

The amended order has no impact on the Borough of Bellmawr’s previous decision to rescind Atilis Gym’s mercantile license, according to officials. Read more here: NJ Town Rescinds License Of Gym That Defied Murphy's Order

That order came after Atilis Gym owners Ian Smith and Frank Trumbetti began reopening their gym in May, two months after Murphy filed an executive order calling for non-essential businesses to close to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

When they reopened, Smith and Trumbetti said the gym had measures in place to comply with health guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but investigators told a court that the gym was not following social distancing protocols, and that there were people inside the gym who were not wearing face coverings.

The repeated reopenings resulted in Smith and Trumbetti being arrested and the Borough of Bellmawr rescinding their mercantile license. They were fined more than $130,000, and the state ordered the business to be shut down on July 1. That order was lifted when the Department of Health filed the amended closure order late last week.

After Murphy made the announcement last week that gyms could reopen, they said they would be bringing in their own scientists to evaluate conditions and show that they have followed the proper health protocols since May. Read more here: Atilis Owners Go ‘On The Offensive’ After Murphy Reopens NJ Gyms

They also recently announced that they were turning the gym into a rallying site for Rik Mehta, who is challenging U.S. Sen. Cory Booker in November. Read more here: Controversial NJ Gym Becomes Rally Site For Booker Opponent

See related:
South Jersey Gym Owners That Defied Murphy's Order File Lawsuit
Judge Denies NJ Gym Owners' Temporary Restraining Order: Report
NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know