Back to the gym... but not the office
Health clubs and theatres to reopen but working from home goes on
GYMS, swimming pools, live music, outdoor sports, theatre and bingo have been given the green light to resume in the coming weeks as Scotland takes more steps out of lockdown.
Nicola Sturgeon yesterday unveiled plans for the return of popular activities in three phases over the next few weeks.
Spectators will also be able to return to sports stadia from the middle of next month.
But the First Minister also confirmed that she still won’t set a date for non-essential offices, with working from home to remain the ‘default’ position – despite admitting she is ‘acutely aware’ it will have an impact on businesses such as cafes and restaurants.
She said there is a need for ‘continued caution’ after the latest figures yesterday showed there were 77 new Covid-19 cases – the highest in a single day for nearly three months.
Miss Sturgeon also opted against moving into phase four of exiting lockdown and warned that ‘may well be the case’ beyond the next review in three weeks’ time.
The first restrictions will be lifted on Monday, when organised outdoor contact sports can resume, as well as bingo, seated outdoor live events, driving lessons, amusement arcades, bowling centres and funfairs.
The reopening date for gyms, swimming pools and indoor sports courts has been brought forward by two weeks, to August 31.
Further measures to be lifted on September 14 include theatres, live music venues, soft play centres and sports stadia. More people will be able to attend weddings and funerals, although numbers will remain ‘restricted’.
On the reopening of gyms, swimming pools and indoor sports courts, Miss Sturgeon said: ‘Three weeks ago, I indicated that they could reopen from September 14, but I also said that we would consider if that date could safely be brought forward – especially given the wider physical and mental health benefits of access to these facilities.
‘Having done so, I am now able confirm that those facilities can reopen – subject to guidance being in place – from August 31.’
She said that the 77 new cases confirmed yesterday ‘underlines the need for continued caution’.
A move to phase four would require the virus to be ‘no longer a significant threat to public health’, and Miss Sturgeon said that is ‘definitely not the case’.
Strict guidance will be issued to each sector now preparing to reopen, similar to rules introduced for pubs and restaurants.
Miss Sturgeon said non-essential offices and contact centres have not been given a return date although this will be considered again in three weeks. She said: ‘I know many office workers miss seeing their colleagues, and many are keen to resume a more normal daily routine. I also know that some businesses will want more of their employees to meet and work together.
‘And I am acutely aware of the impact of home working on services – such as cafes and restaurants – which are based in areas with lots of office workers. However, a full return to office working – given the numbers involved – would significantly increase the risk of indoor transmission. It would also make buses and trains significantly busier and increase transmission risks there too.’
She said that her priority remains ensuring schools can remain open, and added: ‘I know people will ask why their kids can go to school but they cannot go to their office. That may seem like an inconsistency. However that logic is back-to-front.
‘It is because you cannot go to the office – and because of the other restrictions we are keeping in place – that we are able to send kids back to school.’
On the news that gyms can reopen, Michelle Chambers-Cran, regional manager for Scotland at David Lloyd Clubs, said: ‘We’re thrilled to hear the news we can open our doors next week and can’t wait to welcome back our members and teams. It will be brilliant to get everyone reunited – at a safe distance of course.’
Andrew McRae, Scotland policy chairman at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: ‘The more firms that can reopen their doors, the fitter the Scottish economy becomes. We need ministers to consider the long-term impact of office closures. The longer offices are shut, the greater the impact on those town and city centre businesses who rely on office workers’ footfall.’
Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: ‘While gyms and pools support public health, we would also like the Scottish Government to do more to support the health of the economy by providing firmer guidance on when non-essential offices can reopen.
‘We would ask that this be kept under review with as early a date as possible to return for those who want to.’
‘Full return to office would increase risk’ ‘Impact on town and city business’