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Gyms and swimming pools to reopen on 31st August

25th August 2020

Gyms, swimming pools and indoor sports courts will be able to reopen from 31 August, Nicola Sturgeon has announced. The first minister told Holyrood she was bringing forward the reopening of the facilities, which were previously expected to open in mid-September.
 
She said it meant people aged 12 and over could take part in non-contact activity in places such as dance and gymnastics studios. Younger children will be able to take part in all activity, with more restrictions due be lifted on 14 September.
 
They would see sports stadiums, theatres and live music venues reopened with social distancing, limits on capacity and enhanced hygiene. Indoor contact sports for people aged 12 and over could also return. And limits on numbers at weddings and funerals could be relaxed - though they would still be subject to some restrictions.
 
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs that Scotland would remain in phase three of the lockdown easing process, and that this may not change at the next review in three weeks' time. The First Minister added that the government was not setting a date for the reopening of non-essential call centres and offices.
 
Responding, Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said:
 
“The announcement to bring forward the opening date for gyms, indoor pools and indoor sports courts is the right decision. Their operators are ready and have prepared and invested heavily to ensure they are fully compliant with all guidelines.
 
“While gyms and pools support public health, we would also like the Scottish Government to do more to support the health of the economy by providing firmer guidance on when non-essential offices can re-open. We would ask that this be kept under review with as early a date as possible to return for those who want to.
 
“Offices contribute to so many other sectors who rely on their business, especially in our town and city centres. The majority of us are following the guidelines, this needs to continue to ensure we all help build back our economy with no further lockdowns required.”

Read First Minister Speech here

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