The Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi confirmed that the gymnasiums are obligated not to count the closing period during the measures that were taken to counter the emerging corona virus (Covid 19) from the members ’subscription, pointing out that refunding the amounts of the subscriptions is subject to the agreement between the gym and the subscriber .
Participants in gyms in Abu Dhabi revealed to Emirates Today that gym officials refused to extend subscription periods, in exchange for closures that came within the measures taken to combat the spread of the Corona virus.
Common complaints
In detail, the participant in a fitness hall, Ahmed Al Saadi, said that he participated in a fitness hall in Abu Dhabi for three months, but he used the hall one month, after which the Abu Dhabi Economic Department issued a decision to close the fitness halls, as part of the measures taken to prevent the spread of the new Corona virus. (Covid 19).
He added that an official in the hall informed him that the administration had not yet taken a decision regarding extending the contributions, to compensate for the closing period, ruling out a decision to extend or compensate the participants.
Al-Saadi called for extending the subscription to compensate for the period in which the closure was made, as this is a consumer's right, as he did not use the hall for exceptional circumstances.
In turn, the subscriber, Youssef Hassan Eid, said that he had a membership in a fitness hall for six months, but he used the membership for more than three months only.
He emphasized that the terminal management rejected the principle of compensation for the closing period, pointing out that an official in it informed him that the participants may be compensated through future offers currently being discussed, and will be announced in a timely manner, calling for an extension of the subscription period, especially since the closing period may be prolonged. As for the participant Mahmoud Omar, he pointed out that he participated in a fitness hall for a full year, then the decision to suspend gyms activities temporarily came. He added that due to urgent circumstances related to his work and his need to return to his country after the aviation sector is opened, he is communicating with the gymnasium official to retrieve the amount of his subscription, and taking into account the exceptional circumstance he is going through.
Subscription extension
In turn, a source in the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi revealed to «Emirates Today» that the fitness halls are obligated not to count the suspension period from the subscription and extend the subscription periods to match the period in which the halls were closed.
The source, who preferred not to be named, stressed that this is a fundamental right of the joint members, especially since they did not use the halls for reasons unrelated to them.
The source called on the participants in the sports halls to send complaints to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Affairs in the event that those halls refuse to extend the subscription periods to discuss them and take appropriate measures.
Refund money
The source pointed out at the same time that there is no obligation on the halls to return the amounts for members ’participation, indicating that this is subject to the agreement between the hall and the participant.
He stressed that protecting the health of users and employees, and maintaining their safety, is a priority for the department, in these emergency global health conditions, especially since the continued closure came due to friction and rapprochement when exercising between the pioneers of these halls, and the difficulty of preventing frictions, while using the same equipment and devices for a number A large number of visitors to these lounges.
Two halls responsible: It is difficult to extend the subscription or refund
A gymnasium official, Alona Armel, told «Emirates Today» that the current contributions position is being discussed, but that no final decision has been reached regarding extending the subscription or refunding the subscribing members. However, it is difficult to extend the subscription or refund the money, especially since the suspension is due to reasons not related to the fitness hall, such as the closure for maintenance, for example, but it is an administrative decision in unusual circumstances.
In turn, a fitness hall official (NA) said that it is difficult to return the money of the participating members, or to extend the contributions, especially as the halls lost a lot due to the closure.
He explained that it might be discussed in the future to establish quotations for the joint members who were affected by the closing period.
The continued closure of the lounges came due to the closeness when exercising.
Extending the participation in the gyms is a basic right for the participating members .