Government set to give green light for gyms to ‘reopen within days’

Many people are eager to get back in the gym, and it’s possible the reopening of gyms may be announced as part of the next phase of lockdown easing.  

The news comes as Boris Johnson is expected to unveil the latest details of unlocking the economy later today.

Prior to this, the Prime Minister has been working on when the sectors will be able to reopen again.

Whitehall sources have reportedly said that health officials are happy to have indoor gyms reopen providing they follow a list of strict measures. 

Gyms and other sectors including swimming pools, beauty salons, nail bars, bowling alleys and casinos were already being considered to be reopened in ‘mid-July’, which is as soon as next week.

Theatres and nightclubs look set to remain closed for the foreseeable future. 

During last nights announcement from Rishi Sunak, he hinted that gyms could be reopening when answering questions regarding the new Eat Out to Help Out Vouchers. 

The DUP’s Sammy Wilson joked: “I think the clothes shops might welcome it as well, as once we’ve eaten our way through a month’s half-priced meals, we might all be visiting them.”

The Chancellor replied: “Perhaps alongside ‘Eat Out To Help Out’, we can make progress on reopening our gyms, so at the same time we can deal with that side of the equation.”

Despite outdoor gyms being reopen since July 4th, many gym-goers and gym operators have been furious that reopening pubs before gyms sends a poor public health message.

Gyms pose a particular issue as they involve a large group of people in close proximity sharing equipment and also getting out of breath. As coronavirus is a respiratory virus this poses significant challenges.

It is likely when gyms do reopen they will require each piece of equipment to be thoroughly disinfected after use and reduced capacity numbers. 

Speaking to LBC last week, Mr Johnson said: “The best way forward for the country is to get the economy moving again.”

He added: “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.”

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said last month that opening gyms could be possible “at some point later on in July”.

Will you be starting up your gym membership and getting back as soon as they reopen? Let us know!