Gyms will be allowed to stay open in the Liverpool City Region, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has confirmed.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Rotheram said that Whitehall bosses have listened to the arguments put forward by him and other local leaders after gyms in Lancashire were told they did not have to close.
Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside this morning, Rotheram read a statement on behalf of the region's local leaders, which said: "On behalf of the leaders and MPs I entered into further talks with 10 Downing Street to highlight the inconsistencies of the measures.
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"We've consistently asked for the science behind the suite of measures.
"Talks continued late into last night and the government have agreed to bring us in line with other Tier 3 areas.
"This means that soft play areas will close, but gyms could reopen."
The Liverpool Echo reports that that Liverpool City Region leaders have been campaigning for the tier system to be standardised, which may mean gyms in other Tier Three areas might be allowed to follow suit.
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It follows a petition urging the government to 'prevent gyms closing due to a spike in Covid 19 cases', which currently has more than 370,000 signatures.
"In the event of a spike we would like you not to close gyms as a measure to stop any spread of Covid," the petition says.
"Also for gyms to not be put in the same group as pubs in terms of risk or importance.
"Gyms are following strict guidelines and most members are following rules in a sober manner."
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Anger also grew when a gym in Merseyside was fined £1,000 ($1,300) after it refused to close amid new Tier Three lockdown measures.
Nick Whitcombe, owner of Body Tech Fitness in Moreton, Wirral, previously said that he couldn't afford to shut the gym in line with the new localised lockdown restrictions, claiming that if he closed his doors there would be 'no business, there will be no gym, there will be no jobs'.
When officers arrived on Wednesday 14 October and ordered the gym to shut, Nick refused and was subsequently hit with the fine.
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Many have argued that closing gyms and leisure centres will impact businesses and employees, with leisure industry body UKactive saying in a statement earlier this week: "The Government simply cannot afford to close gyms and leisure centres again. To do so would threaten permanent business failure and substantial job losses.
"Furthermore, closures could damage the health of the nation and weaken the public health recovery from Covid-19.
"In this health crisis, our national and local leadership needs these essential facilities more than ever."
Others have also said such services are vital when it comes to managing mental health issues.
Featured Image Credit: PA