Local Planet Fitness locations announced they have opened to members in the area this week.

The fitness center, which had been closed because of state orders since March, has decided to open "in accordance with the North Carolina Attorney General's commentary on Executive Order No. 141," officials with the center in Ogden stated in an email.

Joe Bernardini, a partner in the group that owns the Planet Fitness in Ogden, declined to comment Friday about the reopening, referring to corporate officials.

The Ogden location is among three Planet Fitness locations open in the Wilmington area. 

“In accordance with the North Carolina Attorney General’s commentary on Executive Order No. 141, we have worked closely with our Wilmington franchisee to responsibly reopen three locations there," Becky Zirlen, Planet Fitness senior public relations manager, said in an email. "At Planet Fitness, the safety of our employees and members is our number one priority, as we execute our reopening."

The Planet Fitness locations join other smaller area gyms, such as Anytime Fitness, TF Fitness + Nutrition and Axis Fitness, which reopened in June following a letter released by the attorney general's office that indicated gyms could be open to members whose medical providers have directed them to exercise.

Gov. Roy Cooper, in the second phase of the state's economic reopening plan, had ordered that gyms, along with bars, movie theaters, bowling alleys and event facilities, remain closed during the phase. The governor issued Executive Order No. 141 on May 20.

All O2 Fitness locations across North Carolina are still closed, officials said Friday, declining to comment on future plans.

Planet Fitness has implemented safety measures, including daily employee temperature checks, increased cleaning and sanitization efforts and spacing out equipment, according to the fitness center. For its members and guests, Planet Fitness officials said that masks are required when moving throughout the facility, except when actively working out.

With the opening, Planet Fitness is taking necessary steps to protect the health and well-being of its staff and members, Zirlen said.

"Now more than ever it's important to stay active, in order to stay healthy, and we look forward to safely and responsibly welcoming our members back to Planet Fitness," she said.