“Monday marks the start of a significant day as it kickstarts the engine room of activity in this country,” stated Huw Edwards, the CEO of ukactive.
Discussions are already underway regarding June 21, the date the government aims to lift restrictions. However, they are exploring how certain Covid-secure measures can still be maintained, such as implementing a form of certification. This certification may require individuals attending specific facilities or events to demonstrate that they have tested negative for Covid-19, been vaccinated, or recently recovered from the virus.
“We are currently in talks with the government about this,” Edwards revealed. “If there is to be any form of certification, we must ensure that there is no discrimination against customers and the workforce.
“Our sector possesses unique characteristics in terms of volume, age profile, and workforce. Going to a gym four or five times a week is clearly different from attending a one-off event at Wembley or going to a football match as a season ticket holder once a fortnight.”
Edwards also emphasized that communities would raise “awkward and uncomfortable questions” if a significant number of public leisure facilities were unable to reopen due to the financial burden of the past year. He suggested that there is an opportunity to think creatively about integrating a focus on exercise, fitness, and wellbeing into the operations of the government.
What will reopen on Monday?
Gyms, indoor swimming pools, and other indoor exercise venues will reopen as part of the second stage of easing lockdown restrictions. However, it will still be against the rules to have indoor workouts with people from outside your household. Indoor exercise classes will not resume until further relaxation of lockdown measures on May 17. Outdoor sports and facilities largely resumed on March 29.
What changes can be expected?
The sector will operate according to the protocols that were in place between July and December of last year. These protocols included social distancing, limits on the number of users at any given time, additional sanitization, and encouraging users to arrive at the gym or pool ready to minimize time spent in changing areas. These measures ensured that no Covid-status certification will be required upon reopening.
“We have evidence that we were effectively Covid-secure,” said Huw Edwards. “Our teams have taken extensive measures to ensure the safety of our workforce and customers, while also enhancing their enjoyment and satisfaction.”
Will all gyms, swimming pools, and leisure centers survive?
Approximately 400 leisure facilities have already closed, and nearly one-third of public leisure facilities were unable to reopen when restrictions were previously eased in July. This included the closure of around 200 swimming pools. Sector leaders are urgently requesting various tax reliefs and incentivization schemes, such as an extension of the VAT reduction and a dedicated public leisure fund worth hundreds of millions of pounds.
“This needs to happen sooner rather than later to ensure the continued operation of public leisure facilities beyond the milestone dates,” Edwards emphasized. “We require an extension of the VAT reduction and a public leisure fund to support the reopening.”
This week, Neil Randall, the CEO of Anytime Fitness, called for a government contribution to gym memberships and grants for investments in wellbeing. This would enable employers to provide facilities and promote a healthier workforce.
Will these facilities be accessible to all users?
Due to various protocols and lockdown rules, there will be limitations on numbers and certain classes. Disabled groups were particularly impacted between July and November last year, prompting a recent call for equal access when facilities reopen. Disabled individuals are more likely to be concerned about leaving their homes to engage in physical activity and have been disproportionately affected by the nationwide decrease in activity levels.
“The past year has demonstrated the pivotal role of physical activity in our lives,” said Barry Horne, the CEO of the Activity Alliance. “Disabled individuals have been severely impacted by the pandemic. Now is the time to ensure that our spaces and places are as welcoming as possible. We must not forget or exclude millions of disabled people from the tremendous physical and mental health benefits of being active.”
When can these facilities fully reopen without restrictions, and will Covid certification be required?
The government roadmap aims for a potential wider reopening of all facilities without restrictions by June 21. Talks have already begun regarding the potential application of Covid-status certification to gyms and leisure centers. However, no certification requirements will be in place when the facilities reopen on Monday, as long as Covid-secure protocols are followed. The sector stresses that its “unique” characteristics, including its high volume of customers and the age profile of its customers and workforce, should be taken into careful consideration.
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