When do parks, playgrounds and outdorre gyms open again in the UK?
Many public spaces have remained closed during lockdown to help slow the spread of coronavirus
Here's when parks, playgrounds and outdoor gyms will open again in the UK.
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When can parks, playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skating rinks reopen?
On June 23, Boris Johnson announced that playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skating rinks can open from July 4.
The opening of parks and outdoor spaces will mean kids have a space to run around and explore after spending so much time at home.
Some outdoor facilities such as tennis and golf have been open since May 13.
They now count as outdoor facilities and, with appropriate hygiene practices, like keeping our hands clean, will be safer.
Mr Johnson said: "Most leisure facilities and tourist attractions will reopen if they can do so safely, including outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades."
The two-metre social distancing measure has also been cut back just to one metre.
In terms of outdoor employment, the government said that from July 1 outdoor leisure centres can ask their employees to come back to work.
For the latest government information on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme .
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Will there be changes when playgrounds, parks and outdoor gyms open again?
The government has not specified what you must do to stay safe, but social distancing measures like a mask, carrying a little hand sanitiser and washing your hands frequently are recommended.
Mr Johnson told the Commons that he's leaving it to people's common sense to do the right thing while they are out.
He recommended social distancing where possible and taking little personal steps to continue to look out for each other.
Here are all the other things that will be open from July 4 or sooner
- Hotels, hostels bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks or boarding houses
- Places of Worship
- Libraries
- Community Centres
- Restaurants, Cafes and Workplace Canteens
- Bars
- Pubs
- Cinemas
- Bingo Halls
- Theatres and concert halls can reopen, but live gigs won't be allowed
- Museums and galleries
- Hair salons and barbers
- Outdoor playgrounds
- Outdoor gyms
- Funfairs, theme parks and adventure parks and activities
- Amusement arcades
- Outdoor skating rinks
- Other indoor leisure centres or facilities, including indoor games, recreation and entertainment venues
- Social clubs
- Model villages
- Indoor attractions at aquariums, zoos, safari parks, farms, wildlife centres and any place where animals are exhibited to the public as an attraction
The good thing about these areas being outdoors in summer is that multiple studies have shown that strong sunlight kills 90 per cent of the viral load in just 30 minutes.
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What about indoor gyms and soft play?
Indoor gyms and soft play facilities are still not allowed to open.
They fall in with saunas and nail bars as there is less sunlight and ventilation, so the virus could spread much more quickly than it will in the sunshine.
The Gym Group has offered a glimpse into what the gym floor will look once it finally opens.