Revealed: Tanni Grey-Thompson's letter to Boris Johnson asking him to keep gyms and leisure centres open

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing to you today to represent the case for gyms and leisure centres remaining open during the next series of national Covid restrictions, and champion the essential role they play in both our fight and recovery from this virus. I, alongside no doubt everyone in our country, recognise the magnitude of the decisions you and colleagues are making to protect people from the second wave of Covid, whilst seeking to support sectors across our society. I also acknowledge this is an incredibly challenging balancing act to secure, but passionately believe there is a clear case for gyms and leisure centres to remain open.

Firstly, this health crisis requires local community health services to be accessible, even as restrictions tighten. Gyms and leisure centres fall within that category. The recent Active Lives Survey published by the Government Agency, Sport England, showed the severity of the drop in activity levels during the first lockdown. This happened despite the important and positive messaging from the Government to exercise and maintain activity levels during this period. Looking forward, the loss of access to gyms and leisure centres as part of a second “lockdown” would damage activity levels further, especially so during the winter months. With the onset of winter, outdoor exercise will be much less appealing so the provision of safe facilities for physical activity will be vital. The implication of not being able to access these facilities for millions will lead to a further deterioration in both physical and mental health levels across the country, with implications on longer term public health challenges.

Secondly, the sector has consistently proved since it re-opened, in England, on July 25 that there is a low level of prevalence of covid with its gyms and leisure centres. In June and July, ukactive worked closely with representatives from the Chief Medical Officer’s team, SAGE, Public Health England representatives, and Government officials to co-create the sector guidance. This guidance sets out arguably some of the highest standards across all sectors, from hygiene, social distancing, ventilation, and membership engagement (effectively a sector “track and trace”). The sector – both customers and workforce alike – has diligently observed this guidance to positive effect.

The latest aggregated data, from over 1,900 facilities, reveals that more than five million visits were made to this sample of gyms in the UK during the week from 5-11 October, and in that time just 156 customers reported attending a facility before being confirmed positive with Covid-19. The data, collected and reviewed by the ukactive Research Institute, indicates an incidence rate of 2.88 cases per 100,000 visits. The UK case rate in the general population, as reported by the Government for 5- 11 October was 150.83 cases per 100,000 people (cases by date reported, at 20 October). Furthermore, the data collated for the UK across the whole period since reopening – measured from 25 July to 11 October – shows the sites have seen more than 45 million visits, with an overall rate of 0.99 cases per 100,000 visits.

Prime Minister, this country needs all its essential services working to ensure we successfully combat this virus, and gyms and leisure centres fall within that category. Like many sectors, closures as part of the second national “lockdown” would be devastating for many facilities, threatening business failure and significant job losses. But unlike many sectors, gyms and leisure centres heavily influence the physical and mental wellbeing of the nation. I urge you to provide continued support for this vital sector which is essential to the health of the nation.

Yours sincerely,

Tanni Grey Thompson

Chair, ukactive