Wales beat England to reopen group exercise as lockdowns ease

Northern Ireland’s health clubs and leisure centers reopened on Friday April 30, with Welsh facilities welcoming athletes from today (May 4).

While Wales is the latest UK country to allow facilities to reopen, it is also the first to allow the resumption of organized indoor group activities, ahead of England, Scotland and England. North Ireland.

Group exercises in Wales will initially be limited to 15 people per class and permitted activities include swimming and exercise classes.

In Northern Ireland, group exercise classes will not be permitted until May 24th.

This is the first time this year that leisure facilities can open to visitors in these two nations and follows the reopening of physical activity areas in England (April 12) and Scotland (April 26).

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “It has been an incredibly difficult year for our industry and the past few months have been particularly difficult for our members in Wales due to continued uncertainty over the timing of the reopening of the industry. government.

“We are delighted to see many gymnasiums, swimming pools and recreation centers reopening, which will be a long-awaited relief for these organizations and the communities they proudly serve.

“Our members have shown extraordinary courage and resilience in the most challenging environments, having to make tough operational decisions while facing no membership income during this lockdown period.

“These facilities are essential for the health and well-being of the people of Wales and can now begin again to support the nation’s physical, mental and social recovery.

“However, we know that some facilities will not reopen and we will continue to fight for the financial and regulatory support that is still urgently needed so that as many as possible can survive and fully recover.”