Gyms and swimming pools say any curtailment of indoor sport must be based on evidence

Urgent clarification is being sought over the potential curtailment of indoor recreational sport, with leaders representing gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools adamant that any changes must be based on evidence.

The sector has returned in a limited form since July according to strict protocols in relationship to hygiene and social distancing, and believes that it has shown that it can sufficiently mitigate risk.

The Government, however, will on Tuesday announce new measures to slow the recent surge of Covid-19 infections and has so far offered no reassurance or clarification to a sector that was only allowed back after pubs and restaurants.

Huw Edwards, the chair of ukactive, the national body which represents public and private leisure centres and gyms, said on Tuesday morning that he was seeking “urgent clarification” on potential changes to exemptions for indoor sports within the ‘rule of six’ guidance.

“The Government needs to ensure any changes are based on the evidence provided on the safety of the sector and a full understanding of the implications to the sector,” he said. “This is a health crisis and our sector can play a vital role in supporting our NHS by restoring the nation’s physical and mental resilience in the face of this terrible virus.”

Gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools and indoor sports are already in a perilous situation and have asked for a “comprehensive support package” in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review which combines investment, tax incentives and regulatory reform.

An £800 million request to sustain public gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools to next March was also made last month. Almost half of all public leisure facilities are at risk of closure, including 1,300 by the end of the year. Around 6,000 permanent and casual staff have also already lost their jobs in the sector. Only 56 per cent of leisure facilities were able to reopen even when lockdown measures eased in July, due to the financial impact of the closure since March and the viability of reopening with limited numbers of customers.

Further closures would only worsen the situation and make the appeal for a government bailout, similar to the £1.5 billion that was provided for the arts, even more urgent.

Sports minister Nigel Huddleston addressed the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s annual conference on Monday and, although he stressed the importance of keeping facilities open, the sector has received no reassurance about how new lockdown measures might affect them. “We need sport now more than ever - sport and physical activity are crucial to both our physical and mental health - both of which have been tested by this pandemic,” said Huddleston. “We need the country to get match-fit to beat Covid. Too many facilities have been unable to open.  We need them to open.”