In an announcement made at 5.15pm on Friday 20 March, the UK Prime Minister has said all gyms and leisure centers must close this evening and not reopen tomorrow, in a bid to control the coronavirus outbreak.
The ban includes pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and theatres. “We need to keep people apart”, the Prime Minister said.
How long will the gym be closed?
It’s not yet clear when your local gym is likely to reopen. The Prime Minister said they would be reviewing the situation month by month.
What everyone's reading
Will I still have to pay my membership fee?
We expect your gym will be in touch with you to freeze your membership payments while they are closed. If they don’t, it’s a good idea to give them a call or drop them an email to discuss your options.
Is it safe to go swimming?
No. Under the new guidelines, while the chlorine in the pool might kill the virus, the changing rooms are no longer considered safe. If your local pool is still open, you shouldn’t visit.
Am I still safe running outside?
Yes. According to the Prime Minister, people are able to leave the house 'for exercise and, in that case, at a safe distance from others' which means your morning run is still OK if at a safe distance from others. Read more about running safely during the coronavirus pandemic here.
What exercise can I do instead?
We’ve got plenty of home workouts you can do indoors, or in the park on our website. Alternatively, we’ve rounded up the best treadmills to buy.
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