Gym bunnies and the footy-mad may be jumping for joy tonight as the Culture Secretary confirmed the Government hoped to reopen local facilities by the start next month.
At today's Downing Street daily coronavirus briefing, Oliver Dowden gave footy fans the news they had all been waiting for when he suggested Premier League supporters could be back inside stadiums as soon as September.
But he also hinted that gyms and leisure centres could be back as soon as July 1, while five-a-side football could also be allowed by that time, too, as grassroot sports form part of the focus of the next stage of the staged easing of the lockdown.
Premier League football returned tonight, but in empty stadiums.
Dowden said: "Sports recovery is never just about elite sports.
"I know people are itching to get back to their gyms, their leisure centres, their five-a-side leagues… and all the normal fitness activities.
"So we are working closely to get grassroots and community sport back and up running as soon as it’s safe to so - with an aim at the start of July at the very earliest."
There are warnings however, that gym users may find social distancing difficult, while swimming pool etiquette will be markedly different.
Swimmers were today warned they will need to get used to a "new normal" when pools reopen.
People will be asked to avoid swimming butterfly at busy times or overtaking other pool users in order to maintain social distancing in the water, according to new guidance released today.
Swim England is also recommending arriving with a swimming costume under clothes and showering at home to reduce the amount of time spent in changing rooms when facilities are allowed to welcome visitors again.
Pools are being encouraged to only offer sessions that can be booked in advance and apply one-way systems on poolside to help keep swimmers apart.
Facilities were forced to close in March alongside gyms and other public spaces as the Government established strict measures to try and slow the spread of coronavirus.
Chief executive of Swim England Jane Nickerson said: "When pools reopen it will not be a case of business as usual and we know that things will have to be different.
"However, if we are to play our part in protecting the NHS from another wave of Covid-19 admissions it is important we follow the latest guidance and adjust to the new normal."
Leisure facilities have reportedly been told that they will not be able to open until July 4 at the earliest, and Ms Nickerson warned that even when a date is announced, some may not be able to operate straight away.
She added: "While the guidance contains vital information on how to reopen facilities, unfortunately it doesn't include the key date on when pools can open.
"We will continue to lobby the Government for a reopening date but, ultimately, we have to be guided by them on this."
