16 Apr 2021
Health clubs in Northern Ireland to open on 30 April, group exercise must wait until 24 May
BY Tom Walker
Health clubs and gyms will be able to open their doors to individual training sessions on 30 April.
As with other home nations, however, indoor group exercise will have to wait a bit longer – in Northern Ireland's case, until 24 May.
Competitive outdoor sport, meanwhile, will return on 23 April.
The announcement was made by First Minister Arlene Foster, who last night (15 April) revealed the Executive Office of Northern Ireland's plans to lift lockdown restrictions across the nation.
"From April 30, individual activities in gyms, swimming pools and other large venues are permitted – including with a carer and to allow 1-2-1 training/coaching with social distancing," Foster said.
"Competitive outdoor sport will return a week earlier (23 April), with participant numbers capped at 100 and no spectators being permitted."
Other leisure sector operators given a reopening date include outdoor visitor attractions – including outdoor activity centres – which can now begin preparing for an 23 April relaunch date. Indoor attractions will have to wait until 24 May.
Spas and beauty salons aren't specifically mentioned in the statement, although the British Beauty Council highlighted the reopening of "close contact services" – including training – on 23 April by appointment only as a potential date of interest.
The council said it will update its members once the guidance is published in full.
Arlene Foster said: "This is a landmark day for Northern Ireland as we step firmly and with confidence on our pathway to recovery.
“I am pleased and proud that through our collective efforts we have reached a point where we have established a good level of control over the virus."
To see the full statement and reopening dates published by the Executive, click here.
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