Coronavirus: Reopening of swimming pools and gyms in Wales confirmed

The planned reopening of swimming pools, fitness studios, gyms and leisure centres will go ahead on Monday, it has been confirmed.

Children's play centres can also reopen but areas which are not easy to clean, such as ball pits, must remain shut.

The Welsh Government said the businesses are legally required "to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus" on their premises.

Councils will be given extra powers to enforce the requirements.

They include ensuring people maintain a two-metre distance where possible and measures to avoid close interaction when it is not, such as installing screens, using face coverings and improving hygiene.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "For the small minority of individuals and businesses who are not complying with the law, I want to make it clear that we will take action and we won't hesitate to close individual premises if that is necessary.

"Local authorities are being given enhanced powers to intervene, and to respond more effectively to complaints including those reported to the Wales TUC and its affiliated unions."

While gyms and leisure centres will be able to open from Monday, they will look very different to before the start of the pandemic.

Saunas and steam rooms will remain closed, equipment will be more spread out due to social-distancing measures, while swimmers are being asked to arrive at the pool side "swim ready".

At the start of lockdown, people were limited to exercising outside once a day, not allowed to travel except for essential reasons, and were unable to exercise in groups.

"I went from working 14-hour days to nothing," said personal trainer Francesca Ray, who would normally train clients at Simply Gym, in Llansamlet.

The Swansea-based trainer signed up for a 100-mile running challenge and tried to keep clients motivated, and once restrictions were eased started training people outside.

Ms Ray said while she had organised boot camps and helped people with one-on-one training during lockdown, many people could not wait to get back into the habit of going to the gym.

"I don't think a lot of people realised how much of a positive impact exercise has on their daily lives until the luxury of a gym was taken away from us," she said.

But she said despite social-distancing measures and hygiene measures in place, some were worried about going back.

"I have some clients who will be there 05:30 on Monday morning desperate to use the equipment and others who are slightly apprehensive about returning," she said.

In Rhondda Cynon Taff the council is preparing to reopen its gyms, with fitness classes resuming on 17 August and swimming pools from 24 August.

People heading back to the Leisure for Life gyms will have to book personal training sessions and classes in advance, with fewer people in classes and social distancing measures in place.

Ann Crimmings, cabinet member for leisure, said while outdoor classes "had been a hit", the weather had not always been "on their side".

"Staff have worked hard over recent weeks to ensure staff and customers can return to a safe, but very different, environment," she said.

"The phased approach to opening is the safest way of ensuring the buildings can safely cope with customers wishing to exercise."

For triathlete Caroline Tinsley, not being able to go to her local swimming pool has been hard during the last few months.

After the local travel restrictions were lifted the member of Caerphilly Tri-ers, who has competed in Ironman Wales, started swimming in the sea.

But having to swim around tide times and making sure a friend was free to swim with her for safety reasons, meant this was more restricted than going to her local pool in Cardiff.

"I've been able to cycle and run as normal, but have really missed the pool," she said.

"It seems crazy that it's taken so long to open pools seeing as they are essentially baths full of disinfectant designed to kill germs," she said.

"Much of the risk comes from the changing rooms, so being asked to arrive 'beach ready' removes much of the fear factor. I can't wait to get back in the pool".

Conservative Senedd member Darren Millar, who speaks on Covid-19 recovery matters, welcomed the latest easing of the lockdown but said he wanted it to happen on Saturday, two days earlier.

"Weekends provide many working people with important opportunities to take advantage of leisure facilities," he said.

"It's a great shame that the Welsh Government has chosen to implement these changes from Monday, rather than tomorrow, as it will result in yet another lost weekend for everyone involved."