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Coronavirus in Scotland: Gyms and pools set to reopen by 14 September | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Gyms, swimming pools and indoor sports courts in Scotland could reopen on 14 September, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. | |
She said the decision would be reviewed in three weeks to see if the date could be brought forward to late August. | |
Gyms in England reopened last weekend, and Scottish owners have voiced concerns about the impact of their continued closure. | |
Ms Sturgeon said the 14 September date was indicative at this stage. | |
"I absolutely understand and share the desire to see these facilities open as quickly as possible," she said. | "I absolutely understand and share the desire to see these facilities open as quickly as possible," she said. |
"However, the clinical advice I have is that because of the nature of these environments, they pose a particular risk and require a cautious approach." | "However, the clinical advice I have is that because of the nature of these environments, they pose a particular risk and require a cautious approach." |
The first minister said the opening date of 14 September for gyms and pools would be reviewed again in three weeks. | The first minister said the opening date of 14 September for gyms and pools would be reviewed again in three weeks. |
"If it is judged reasonable to do so, we will seek to accelerate this to the end of August," she said. | "If it is judged reasonable to do so, we will seek to accelerate this to the end of August," she said. |
On Thursday, Ms Sturgeon set out a number of dates when lockdown restrictions would ease further. | |
Bingo halls and funfairs will be able to reopen in August, and dentists will be able to provide more services. | |
Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament that routine eye care services - including regular eye exams - can be carried out from Monday 3 August. | |
Counselling services, such as drug and alcohol support groups, will be able to resume to "provide essential services". | Counselling services, such as drug and alcohol support groups, will be able to resume to "provide essential services". |
And sports coaches will be able to meet with groups of more than four households at a time from the same date. | |
A wider range of dental care will be allowed to resume from 17 August. | A wider range of dental care will be allowed to resume from 17 August. |
It is planned that live events such as concerts and comedy will be allowed outdoors from 24 August, with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene and restricted audience numbers. | It is planned that live events such as concerts and comedy will be allowed outdoors from 24 August, with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene and restricted audience numbers. |
It is hoped that organised outdoor contact sports can resume for people of all ages on the same date. | It is hoped that organised outdoor contact sports can resume for people of all ages on the same date. |
Some indoor facilities, such as bingo halls and similar venues, could also open again on 24 August, as well as funfairs and the resumption of driving lessons. | Some indoor facilities, such as bingo halls and similar venues, could also open again on 24 August, as well as funfairs and the resumption of driving lessons. |
Ms Sturgeon said it was hoped that theatres and live music venues, as well as soft play centres, would be able to reopen on 14 September. | |
Sports stadia could reopen on the same day for limited numbers of spectators, with physical distancing in place. | |
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: "Some professional sports events may be arranged for spectators before then - with Scottish government agreement - to test the safety of any new arrangements." | |
It is hoped that indoor sports courts will be able to reopen from the same date, with physical distancing. | |
Non-essential offices are expected to remain closed until at least 14 September | |
"Even then, working from home and working flexibly will remain the default position," added Ms Sturgeon. | |
"By staying at home, office workers and employers are playing a vital role in helping suppress the virus, and ensuring our transport network remains safe." |