NJ COVID Update: New Jersey Planet Fitness Man Banned Over Surgical Mask

UNION TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (WABC) – A New Jersey man has spoken out after being denied access to local Planet Fitness for a masked dispute – but not the kind you might think.

“It’s so clearly stupid, if you don’t mind saying that,” Jordan Binenstock said. “It just doesn’t make sense. All the time, it doesn’t make sense.”

He says he showed off his Union Township gym wearing a surgical mask instead of a cloth one.

“He wouldn’t let me in,” he said. “He wouldn’t let me in because I wasn’t wearing a cotton mask.”

It seems that Planet Fitness bans surgical masks, and Binenstock has even recorded multiple interactions with employees who confirm it.

“The surgical mask, we were told by the corporation, that they tend to break or deteriorate with you wearing sweat when you train,” an employee told him. – So they are not allowed.

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Binestock prefers the surgical mask because it does not irritate his skin and is the same way that Governor Phil Murphy frequently wears in his press sessions.

The governor’s executive order on the reopening of the gym “requires workers and customers to wear cloth faces”, but later says “nothing in that policy should prevent workers or customers from wearing a surgical-grade mask or other cover.” more protective face is already in possession of such equipment. “

A Planet Fitness spokesman responded with a statement.

“The safety and well-being of our staff and members continues to be our number one priority,” it read. “Members and guests are allowed to wear disposable surgical masks at our clubs in New Jersey” and “We believe there has been a miscommunication of guidelines, and the local Planet Fitness location is aware.”

But that didn’t seem to work out.

“I think the problem is you got to the company,” Binenstock said. “And the problem is, this is a franchise.”

He called his former gym and certainly received the same reply.

“You can only wear cotton or cloth,” he was told. – No surgery.

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Binenstock’s says that Planet Fitness has canceled its membership and not only wants an apology, but also a refund.

“They wasted a lot of customers’ time and money,” he said.

Governor Murphy’s office told Eyewitness News that businesses should allow individuals to wear any CDC-compliant mask, including a surgical mask.

“The governor’s orders to wear a mask are meant to ensure that as many individuals as possible can wear masks, so that NJ residents can engage more safely in certain activities, while reducing the spread of the virus,” the statement said. “We urge companies to be flexible in allowing individuals to wear any type of mask that is CDC compliant and suitable for the business, as mentioned in Executive Order no.

If you believe a company is violating a mask policy, you can submit a complaint online by CLICKING HERE.

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