Banning ‘lifeline’ exercise classes is a misstep from FM

Sir, – As a fairly active senior citizen I am perplexed, annoyed and disappointed at the blanket decision of the Scottish Government to ban exercise classes under Tier 3.

Until Covid-19 came along my wife and I enjoyed ballroom dancing, exercise classes and golf on a regular basis.

In March this came to a halt, then golf was understood to be a good outdoor sport that could be played safely.

Then a month ago we were allowed to go back to group exercise classes at Dundee

University ISE and were very impressed at the level of biosecurity that was applied.

Where there used to be 40 participants in a large studio there were only 12 allowed, all in 2.5 metre squares and using their own equipment.

I was amazed at the ingenuity of the instructors giving us a full body workout without any equipment being supplied, and they also had up to 30 people online who didn’t feel confident enough to venture out.

Not at any time did the participants feel uncomfortable and there were sanitisers available everywhere.

Then Dundee was placed in Tier 3 and everything came to a halt and, although classes are available online, it is not the same as having a face-to-face with a professional instructor.

These classes are a lifeline for seniors and also for the staff and are crucial for the mental wellbeing of both groups.

The work involved in making the place safe is laudable and expensive and to have these efforts taken away by the Scottish Government and their advisors without an understanding of how the group activities have been altered to make everyone safe is a gross injustice to the professionalism of the staff at gymnasia across the country.

I would suggest a personal visit from the first minister would possibly help them realise what a valuable asset is being wasted.

Duncan Stewart. Burnside of Duntrune, Angus.