Ban on indoor gyms opening ‘defies logic’

THE manager of an organisation which runs leisure centres and gyms across the capital has hit out at the Welsh Government for not allowing indoor gyms to reopen – at a time when pubs have been given the goahead to open.

Rhys Jones, manager of Better Cardiff, has written an open letter to the Welsh Government urging it to “move quickly” and confirm a date for when indoor gyms and swimming pools can reopen.

Its facilities, which it operates on behalf of Cardiff council, include five leisure centres – Llanishen, Pentwyn, Fairwater, Eastern and Western – as well as Splott’s Star Hub, Maindy Centre and Penylan Library and Community Centre.

Mr Jones said it’s “patently unfair” that gyms have been allowed to open in England and Northern Ireland but not in Wales, and feared it could impact negatively on public health.

Indoor gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools in England are preparing to reopen on July 25, as long as they meet strict new criteria.

Meanwhile, from July 20, outdoor gyms in Wales will be able to re-open, along with playgrounds and community centres.

And the Welsh Government is planning to let pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants open indoors on August 3, having already allowed them to reopen outdoors from this week.

However, it is yet to set a date for when indoor gyms can reopen.

The full letter written by Mr Jones reads: “Following the announcement that sections of the leisure sector can re-open in August in Wales, we cannot believe indoor gyms are not on this list.

“If pubs and restaurants can reopen in Wales, it defies logic that indoor sports and leisure facilities remain closed – particularly public facilities designed to serve local communities.

“It’s patently unfair that people in Wales continue to be denied what those in England and in Northern Ireland have got.

“Wales needs clarity so we can rebuild public confidence and get the nation active again.

“We are calling today on the Welsh Government to move quickly to confirm a date when indoor gyms and swimming pools can reopen.

“Any delay by the Welsh Government will impact negatively on the public health of its citizens, some of which are the most unhealthy in the UK, but also threatens local jobs and communities in Wales.

“Well-run, well-ventilated gyms are safe and a recent report from Norway has highlighted this.

“As a not-for- profit social enterprise we run nearly 300 public sport and leisure centres across the UK and we have already adopted strict Covid secure rules to ensure our members are able to work out within public health guidelines. We can work with the Welsh Government on declaring gyms safe.

“We are putting out a challenge to the First Minister – please don’t let Wales down.

“We invite him to see first-hand what we are doing to make our leisure facilities Covid-secure and the measures that we have put in place to ensure our customers and staff are protected.”

In response, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are discussing with local authorities and other operators how gyms, leisure centres, fitness studios and swimming pools can introduce measures to open safely.”