When will gyms reopen?

The Prime Minister has approved phase two of the lockdown easing roadmap

Joanna Whitehead
Monday 12 April 2021 11:35 BST
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Sick of running round the park? Us too
Sick of running round the park? Us too (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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Phase two of the lockdown easing roadmap has gone ahead on Monday 12 April with the return of non-essential shops, outdoor hospitality and hair salons.

It also marks the return of indoor leisure facilities, such as gyms.

The Prime Minister announced a four-step plan that could see England could return to something close to normal life no earlier than 21 June.

Mr Johnson said there will be “at least” five weeks between each of the four steps.

Describing his plan as a “a one-way road to freedom”, Mr Johnson cautioned that measures could be paused at any time if the data makes clear that relaxations have increased the danger from Covid-19.

When will gyms reopen?

Time to pump some iron
Time to pump some iron (Getty Images)

The prime minister confirmed on Monday that gyms will reopen on 12 April.

But this is “only for use by individuals or household groups”.

What about outdoor sports?

Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said outdoor sports will return on 29 March, including organised team sports and outdoor swimming pools.

“The simple way to look at this is that outdoor is safer and therefore we prioritise versus indoor,” he told LBC.

“Outdoor sports - tennis, golf, outdoor organised team sports, grassroots football - will go back on March 29.”

He added: “At the moment, it's outdoors versus indoors. Outdoors is the priority because it's where the transmission rates are much, much, much lower.”

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