The federal health department kept its own fitness center open even as the coronavirus outbreak raged and private gyms shuttered their doors.

Staff at the Health and Human Services department received an email on Wednesday afternoon, which was shared with POLITICO, reminding them that "the HHS fitness center remains open." An attendant at the gym around 1 p.m. on Thursday also confirmed that the facility was open.


But by 3:30 p.m. on Thursday — after POLITICO had submitted questions to the health department — calls to the fitness center were answered by a recorded message that "we are closed until further notice." An HHS spokesperson confirmed that the gym is closed.