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Gyms to reopen on April 12 for exercise but classes won’t restart until mid-May
FITNESS fans will be able to hit the gym from April 12 as part of Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown - but classes won't start again until mid-May.
The Prime Minister revealed the earliest possible dates for when businesses could reopen today in the House of Commons and in an address to the nation on TV.
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As part of his announcement, the PM said gyms will be allowed to reopen from April 12 as long as strict conditions are met, meaning Brits will no longer be limited to working out outside.
However, group exercise classes won't restart until mid-May under the plans, when restrictions could start lifting for indoor gatherings.
The Prime Minister said: "The threat remains substantial with the numbers in hospital only now beginning to fall below the peak of the first wave in April.
"But we are able to take these steps because of the resolve of the British people and the extraordinary success of our NHS in vaccinating more than 17.5 million people across the UK."
It comes as...
- Boris Johnson today announced his map was a "one way road to freedom"
- All students will return to England schools from March 8
- Hairdressers will open from April 12 along with gyms
- Pubs will reopen for indoor drinking in May as outdoor service returns in April
- Brits will be able to meet inside from May 17 while following the rule of 6 or two households
- Working from home measures will remain in place until at least June
- Nightclubs will reopen on June 21 as the lockdown is lifted into summer
- A full list of businesses that must stay closed until April 12 was revealed today - with cinemas and bingo halls to stay closed until May 17
What rules will you have to follow at the gym?
IT is likely gyms will have to operate with Covid-secure guidelines.
While operating before the latest lockdown, gyms had to follow coronavirus-safe guidance from industry association, UK Active.
David Lloyd published the following Covid restrictions for the last lockdown:
- Reduced capacity in gyms, while increasing space between equipment to 2m, as well as adding a one-way system.
- Provided additional gym space, with individual workout areas of 3m x 3m.
- Limited bookings for group exercise classes to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
- Reduced the number of swimmers in pools - where people swim at 5m intervals.
- Fewer members are allowed in certain areas at any one time to ensure everyone can practice social distancing.
- Plastic screens introduced to reception desks to protect members and staff.
- Signage and clear floor markings help members to remain a safe distance apart, with staff available to provide support.
UK Active also advises:
- Rigorous cleaning and disinfection procedures to minimise risk of contact transmission.
- Hand wipes/sanitisers on offer at reception.
- Customers should arrive swim or gym ready, to avoid using showers.
- Users should not be working out face-to-face.
Before gyms open their doors once again, outdoor sports - such as tennis and golf - are expected to return from March 29.
Speaking on LBC this morning, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said the government is prioritising outdoor sports as they are "safer" in terms of spreading coronavirus.
At the time, he had declined to say when gyms would reopen.
He said: "The simple way to look at this is that outdoor is safer and therefore we prioritise versus indoor."
Owners of the nation's biggest gym groups had also been calling on the government to give them a date for reopening.
Humphrey Cobbold, chief executive of PureGym, told Sky News this morning that gyms should reopen as members are "desperate to get back for benefits of physical and mental well-being”.
He added: “It is all very well to hear tennis and golf are reopening, but let's be honest, those are rich people sports."
A similar plea has been issued by Richard Darwin, chief executive of the The Gym Group, who said: “The link between exercise and mental health is well understood - our members rely on working out in our gyms to improve their state of mind.”
The easing of restrictions will start with schools reopening from March 8.
The rules will be further relaxed on March 29, when either six people or two households will be able to meet outside.
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Timeline for businesses reopening after lockdown
PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has outlined his roadmap for easing England out of lockdown.
Businesses will be allowed to reopen on the following dates, as long as the "four steps to freedom" are met. Here's what we know so far:
April 12
- Retail
- Hospitality outdoors
- Hairdressers
- Zoos
- Self-catered staycations with one household
May 17
- Indoor hospitality
- Indoor exercise gyms
- Bingo halls
- Cinemas
- Sports stadiums to reopen but capped to 10,000 fans
- Saunas
- Spas
June 21
- Nightclubs
As part of the roadmap out of lockdown, non-essential retail is expected to reopen from from April 12, followed by pubs and restaurants indoors on May 17.
Businesses such as spas, saunas and nightclubs are expected to follow from June 21.
There are hopes Brits could then enjoy a sense of normality by July, when every adult will have been offered a coronavirus jab first dose.
After the first lockdown, gyms did not reopen in England until July 25 – three weeks after hairdressers, pubs and restaurants.
But after the second lockdown ended on December 2, they opened again immediately.
Before the third lockdown came into force on January 5, indoor gyms had been told to stay shut in Tier 4 areas, although outdoor gyms could remain open.
Gyms were allowed to stay open for solo exercises in places under Tier 3 restrictions, but group workouts were banned.
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The PM last week told ministers there will be no backsliding on his goal of getting kids back to class from March 8 - despite a mutiny by Sage scientists.
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Sir Jeremy Farrar said Covid infections must be cut from the current 750,000 to just 9,000 “before we can think about lifting restrictions”.
Meanwhile, Prof John Edmunds said opening schools could push the R rate above 1, and some restrictions will be needed until Christmas.
Two households will be to meet up outside from Easter under Boris Johnson’s plan to end lockdown
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