19 Aug 2020
Scotland publishes guidance for the reopening of gyms, sport and leisure facilities
BY Tom Walker
The Scottish government has published its guidance for indoor sports venues and leisure facilities – ahead of a possible reopening date of 14 September.
The guidance covers gyms, health clubs and the broader sport and leisure sector and "will be reviewed on a regular basis".
According to the government, the guide is "underpinned by a spirit of collaborative working" between gyms, sport and leisure facility operators.
Among the guidance is an operational guide and checklist, which sets out some of the key measures that operators will have to put in place.
These include enforcing 2-metre social distancing at all indoor venues at all times and splitting the workforce into specific teams to avoid cross-team contamination and to provide a level of operational resilience in case a team member develops COVID-19 symptoms.
"It is for individual employers and facility operators, in conjunction with trade union or workforce representatives, to decide how best to successfully adopt and adapt guidance for their individual circumstances," the guidance states.
"The guidance comes into effect from 14 September 2020, or earlier if possible, subject to further review and extends until further notice.
"Publication of this guidance does not signal an immediate change in Scotland’s lockdown policy. A second surge in infection would cause further harm to our health, society and economy."
The publication of the guidance has been welcomed by Scotland's physical activity industry, which has been forced to sit and wait, while all other home nations have seen gyms and sports facilities reopen their doors.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “The publication of the official guidance is an important milestone in safely reopening Scotland’s gyms and leisure facilities.
“We have been working closely with the government on the recommended framework for some time, and hope that this guidance will be followed swiftly by a clear date for reopening facilities sooner than the indicative date it has given, 14 September.
“We continue to work on our members’ behalf to support the Scottish Government with the facts and evidence of the sector’s safety measures, and its vital role in the nation’s recovery and resilience from COVID-19.”
• To read the full guidance on reopening, click here.
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