Prompted by rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Massachusetts and in states across the country, a fitness studio in Boston will be the first in its area to require proof of vaccination from its members.
Row Republic Owner Joey Tagliente told WHDH-TV that he wanted to give members who don’t have the vaccine yet time, so he will require vaccine proof starting Aug. 9.
“I think we’re the first to actually require it and mandate it and quite frankly I don’t think we’ll be the last. I hope this gets more people going and over the line,” Tagliente said. “It’s really important for our customers at all times to know that this is the safest, cleanest place you can be and by guaranteeing vaccination we know that that’s the case.”
Row Republic Boston used to ask for proof of vaccination from members in order for them to work out without a mask, WCBV-TV reported. Next week Row Republic will be the first gym in the Boston area to require all members to show proof of vaccination in order to work out at all.
One member who regularly attends said he supports the decision, and he would like to see more facilities adopt a similar policy.
“You have to commend the ownership here for taking this first step,” said member Barry Garrett. “Let’s hope that this is the step that everyone else sees and everyone else follows in suit.”
New Row Republic member Maude Gorman told the news station that the vaccine requirement is what helped her make her decision to join.
“I actually chose this gym because of their new policy about the vaccination, Gorman said. “Very transparent about it online, and it was encouraging for me as an athlete to be somewhere that I feel safe and can thrive in the environment.”
