The Government is to allow gyms, indoor sports facilities, fitness and dance studios in Liverpool and the wider city region to reopen from Saturday 24 October.
They were included in Tier 3 restrictions which came into force on Wednesday 14 October in a bid to drive down COVID-19 infection rates.
However, local leaders successfully argued that it was unfair because the venues have not been included in the restrictions for other Tier 3 areas, such as Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “It was clear that our gyms were just as safe as anywhere else in the city, like our schools, our universities and also our retail outlets, our big supermarkets.
“It was a decision we just didn’t understand and we lobbied and argued for it. So the pressure from the city region leaders to get govermment to change their mind has finally worked.
“I’d like to thank everybody who did mount a huge campaign and enabled us to keep going and to continue to argue with government.”
The following council-run Lifestyles fitness centres will open on Saturday 24th October:
Alsop
Garston
Ellergreen
Cardinal Heenan
Liverpool Aquatics Centre
Sessions must be booked online – more information is available at: https://liverpool.gov.uk/lifestyles/reopening-of-lifestyles/
However, in order to bring Liverpool City Region in line with other Tier 3 areas, soft play centres will have to close from Saturday.
