N.C. Legislators Aiming To Reopen Gyms Despite Cooper Order

North Carolina gyms could reopen thanks to legislation advancing in the state Senate that would essentially overturn Gov. Roy Cooper’s COVID-19 executive order keeping them closed. The measure approved on Thursday by a committee would allow the gyms and health clubs to reopen at 50% capacity. It's another effort by lawmakers to overturn Cooper’s restrictions that have kept certain types of businesses shuttered during the pandemic. Legislation already on Cooper's desk would allow bars to reopen outdoors. Cooper has defended keeping bars and gyms closed based on health decisions, but late Thursday left open the possibility that they could reopen sooner than now anticipated.