The government has announced that gyms across England can reopen from 25 July, as part of the next phase of the country easing out of lockdown.
Speaking at a one-off press briefing today, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "From Saturday 25th people will no longer have to work out in their park or on their living room floor.
"They'll be able to get back into their gyms, their indoor swimming pools, their leisure centres and jump on that spin bike or treadmill for the first time in months."
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Having allowed hairdressers and barbers to reopen, Dowden also said the government would now be letting similar businesses open from Monday 13 July.
He said: "Beauticians, tattoo artists and spas, tanning salons and other close contact serves can do the same from Monday."
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Venues like gyms and pools have been closed since the nation went into lockdown on 23 March.
However, they were not given the go-ahead to reopen last Saturday along with pubs, bars and restaurants.
When asked last Friday why such establishments were able to reopen for 'Super Saturday', but gyms and nail bars had been told to remain closed, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told LBC: "People, I think, listening to this debate do know the answer to that, and that is to stop the spread of the disease."
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He also said gyms would reopen in a 'couple of weeks', adding: "We are going to reopen gyms as soon as we can do it in a Covid-secure way and I think that the date for reopening gyms at the moment, if we can do it, is in just a couple of weeks' time."
Dowden had also previously shared an update on the reopening of gyms, addressing people's concerns in a tweet that said: "Many people keen to hit the gym and keeping Britain fit is key in Covid battle.
"We've made lots of progress and I know steps businesses have taken to make their spaces and equipment safe.
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"Subject to public health, our aspiration is to reopen gyms & leisure facilities in mid-July."
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said in a briefing today that gyms won't be allowed to reopen until 31 July at the earliest.
Laying out forthcoming changes as Scotland enters phase three of the route map out of lockdown, Sturgeon announced that restaurants, cafes and pubs will be able to reopen from 15 July.
However, she also stressed the importance of remaining cautious, particularly when it comes to meeting others indoors.
She said: "We know that the risk of transmitting the virus indoors is significantly higher than it is outdoors.
"So it is essential that we all take great care and strictly follow all of the public health advice."
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: UK News, Coronavirus
