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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Saffron Otter

What sports facilities and businesses are now open?

A number of sporting facilities and businesses are able to reopen from Monday.

Changes to the lockdown rules have been made to allow for some outdoor activity as part of Boris Johnson's roadmap.

It will see the return of social gatherings outdoors in the 'rule of six', including in gardens.

And the reopening of tennis courts, basketball courts, football courts, golf courses, and outdoor swimming pools, among others.

Under the restrictions, organised outdoor sports can resume for adults and children from March 29.

But activities must be arranged, so a large group of people cannot gather to play football in a park, for example.

Water sport venues, riding centres, outdoor climbing walls and driving and shooting ranges will also be able to reopen as part of Step 1 in the roadmap.

Part two of Step 1 states: "The Government will also allow outdoor sports facilities to reopen, broadening the options for outdoor exercise and recreation.

Swimming pools can reopen (Surrey Live - Grahame Larter)

"These facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, and swimming pools, can be used by people in line with the wider social contact limits."

As part of the reasons why outdoor sporting will be able to resume, Government analysis explains: "Opening outdoor sports settings will help to reduce the adverse physical and mental health effects experienced by large parts of the population, in particular children and those living alone."

Meanwhile, all children will be able to access outdoor childcare and supervised activities.

Parent and child groups can also take place outdoors with a limit of 15 attendees - children under five years of age do not count towards the attendee limit.

Indoor gyms and sporting facilities are required to remain closed until Step 2, which is scheduled to be no earlier than April 12.

However indoor group sports and exercise classes won't be given the green light until mid-May at the earliest.

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