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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Claire Galloway

Coronavirus in Scotland: How new restrictions affect Edinburgh gyms, fitness classes and team sports

New restrictions have now come into force that affect the rules around exercise - and it's worth knowing before you try head to a yoga class.

Nicola Sturgeon announced a range of nationwide measures earlier this week as part of a circuit breaker lockdown, with the central belt under even tougher restrictions.

As well as a number of hospitality businesses now forced to shut their doors for two weeks, which sparked a protest outside Holyrood on Friday night, there are also restrictions on exercising.

While the rules are not as extreme as the lockdown the country saw in March, when people were only allowed one trip outdoors for exercise a day, the rules have put a temporary stop to a range of activities.

How do the new rules affect gyms and team sport?

Much to the relief of many, gyms and leisure facilities have been allowed to remain open - but only for individual exercise.

This means you can still go the gym as long as you follow social distancing guidance and rules around mixing with other households.

However, in a bid to curb the spread of the virus, Nicola Sturgeon said that fitness classes in gyms, sport courts and pools are currently banned.

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The rules mean that popular fitness classes within gyms, like yoga and spin sessions, will be cancelled until they have the go ahead to resume.

Organised outdoor contact sport is also not permitted for adults, with the likes of five-a-side football not allowed. Those playing professional sport are excluded from this.

It's important to note that under 18s are exempt from these additional rules, which means can still take part in organised contact sport outdoors and group classes indoors. 

 
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