18 Mar 2020 Leading industry bodies call for special measures to keep leisure facilities afloat BY Tom Walker |
Leading trade bodies representing the physical activity sector have called on the government to introduce "urgent additional measures" in order to keep gyms and leisure facilities afloat during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. The heads of ukactive, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), and Community Leisure UK have written to chancellor Rishi Sunak, offering to work with the Treasury on the priorities for financial support designed to protect thousands of jobs, businesses and charities. Gyms, leisure centres and other activity facilities currently remain open to the public, following Boris Johnson’s call on Monday (16 March) for people to continue to go out to exercise. Facilities are undertaking additional cleaning procedures and physical distancing measures to ensure customers remain safe and active, in line with guidance from Public Health England. In the letter to the Chancellor the sector leaders highlighted the unique position and value of the physical activity sector – and its ability contribute to the nation’s health. “We want to work with you and your team to ensure the physical activity sector has the tools it needs to survive in this rapidly changing climate," the letter reads. “Our gyms, leisure facilities and sports providers are on the frontline of the prevention agenda, contributing hugely to both our national wellbeing and productivity. “We cannot allow the facilities at the heart of our communities to disappear. “Figures show that public leisure alone is worth £3.3bn annually, having a huge impact on wellbeing (£2.4bn) and health (£715m), but findings also demonstrate benefits for wider social issues such as education and crime, shaping the future of children and young people, ensuring a productive workforce, tackling loneliness, supporting an ageing society, and providing deeper connections within communities. “Throughout the coronavirus crisis our members have been working tirelessly to support the public to maintain active lives, supporting the nation through increasing pressures on both our physical and mental health, as our routines are disrupted. “The significance of maintaining our physical and mental health cannot be underplayed in these circumstances, and the physical activity sector finds itself uniquely placed to offer support to people. “If physical activity organisations are not supported to survive, it will be difficult for this vital infrastructure to be restored once the crisis is over – and a lengthy restoration process would have dire consequences for our society.” The measures proposed by the sector bodies are:
In addition to this, the sector is looking for clarification on the processes for the following:
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