Lockdown measures will be further eased this week, allowing non-essential shops to open up from Monday 15 June.
High street retailers and department stores are allowed to reopen from tomorrow, providing they follow the Covid-19 secure guidelines set out by the Government in May.
Restrictions will be in place to ensure social distancing rules can be adhered to, while increased hygiene measures must be observed.
Meanwhile, gyms and pubs will remain closed, with no definite date on when they could reopen.
But, as the risk of transmitting the virus is lower outdoors, are outdoor gyms open?
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Are outdoor gyms open?
Outdoor gyms are still closed, with most cordoned off and made inaccessible to the public.
However, most sports courts are now open for use, and personal trainers can resume work, providing they train with no more than five people at a time and in an outdoor session with social distancing in place.
The latest government advice on the matter, dated 1 June, states: ‘Any facilities associated with outdoor sports and physical activities were permitted to reopen Outdoor sports courts are allowed to be open if those responsible for them can open them safely.’
‘This included basketball and tennis courts, playing spaces like golf courses (public and private) and playing fields and water sports. However outdoor gyms, playgrounds and outdoor and indoor swimming pools will remain closed.’
Meanwhile, gym chain David Lloyd has reopened some of its outdoor facilities and has restarted a programme of socially distanced outdoor classes.
There are currently no updates on when outdoor gyms may reopen, although a recent report in the Guardian suggested gyms and leisure centres could reopen in July.
Huw Edwards, the chief executive of UK Active (a company which represents thousands of gyms and leisure centres) has revealed he is cautiously optimistic the industry could be back in action by summer.
He said: ‘We want to open in a way which is safe for staff and customers, allows people to come back and train, and then gets businesses up and running again.
‘The government has said to us nothing before the fourth of July. Our plan is to take government and Public Health England officials out to sites to reassure them that gyms can safely implement social distancing.
‘We are going to be a completely open book.’
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