Tentative plans are being prepared to lift lockdown measures, but certain sectors are likely to prove more difficult to open back up again than others.
A recent YouGov poll has discovered that only 30% of individuals would feel comfortable going back to gyms when they eventually reopen here in the UK.
Earlier this week, non-profit industry associate ukActive has revealed a four-stage strategy to safely resume the physical activity sector.
The first step starts with extensive research on business modelling that is currently underway in conjunction with DataHub.
As things stand, it is said that just shy of 190,000 people are employed by the leisure industry with around 100,000 of them at risk as a result of permanent closure.
ukActive's Stage Two centres on creating a framework for facilities to open back up again while remaining "both safe and financially viable for operation".
Stage Three focuses on a public information campaign designed to reassure the public, while Stage Four concludes things by working alongside the government to ensure necessary financial and regulatory changes are put in place.
CEO of ukActive Huw Edwards says: "In order for the sector to reopen, two major milestones must be met: firstly, our operators must meet future public health recommendations in relation to combatting Covid-19.
"Secondly, any phased opening with ongoing restrictions must be accompanied by additional Government support that makes it financially viable for our members to reopen."
"Our sector puts the nation’s health at the very heart of its mission. We must act now to ensure that the organisations and workforce behind our nation’s activity levels are fully prepared to reopen in a safe and swift manner"
However, any plans will be impacted by government rulings and at the time of writing, gyms being opened is still some way off.
