Culture Secretary announces opening of gyms, pools and leisure venues
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has today announced the further reopening of the economy – with outdoor pools and theatres able to start up from Saturday.
Grassroots sport returns this weekend cricket and from Monday, close contact services including beauticians, tattooists, tanning salons and spas will be allowed to reopen.
From Saturday 25 July, indoor gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres will be able to open.
The Culture Secretary also promised to protect theatres and venues from closure, demolition and change of use, with small pilots of indoor performances taking place.
“As these places begin to reopen their doors I’m really urging people to get out there play their part. Buy the tickets for outdoor plays and music recitals, get to your local gallery and support your local businesses,” the Culture Secretary said.
He added government wanted to reopen indoor leisure centres and gyms sooner, but also wanted to give operators “certainty, clarity and time” to enable as many as possible to be open on 25 July.
Measures including timed booking systems to limit the number of people in the facility at any one time, reduced class sizes, spaced out equipment and enhanced cleaning will be carried out by operators.
The Culture Secretary also reiterated the measures announced today were conditional and that government would not hesitate to imposed lockdowns if there are local spikes.
“It’s time to eat out to help out, to enjoy the arts to help out, and work out to help out,” he added.
The government has outlined the measures that will allow outdoor pools, indoor gyms, swimming pools and sport facilities to reopen.
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