12th April: Restart for indoor leisure facilities

The government has confirmed that we'll move to Step 2 on 12 April.

These frequently asked questions have been developed by Sport England in line with the government sport-specific guidance. They're intended to support you in your work in preparing to restart and to understand what the government guidance means for you.

Sport-specific guidance will also be updated ahead of Step 2, and they will continue to work with the government to add further information on the next steps in its roadmap as we get further clarity.

Summary

• Indoor leisure facilities can open for adult individual/household use only (no group activities are allowed)
  • This includes facilities such as, but not limited to, gym and leisure centres, indoor sports courts and pitches, swimming pools, fitness studios, multi-sport facilities (such as climbing walls, driving ranges, archery venues, indoor riding centres, and indoor skate parks).
• Children's activities can take place indoors in line with Department for Education and Out of School Setting guidance
• Changing rooms can be opened, but participants should be encouraged to avoid or minimise use where possible
• Travel should be minimised but can take place for the purpose of sport and physical activity. Car sharing, however, isn't permitted
• Spectators are only allowed on public land, where they must adhere to social gathering limits either in groups of six or two households.

Alongside the original guidance from 29th March:

• You should minimise travel, however, travel for sport and exercise is permitted
• Outdoor gatherings of either six people (the 'rule of six') or two households can take place
• Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, sports pitches, outdoor skateparks and outdoor swimming pools can reopen
• Organised outdoor sport and physical activity for adults and children can return, which will be exempt from the legal gathering limits. The threshold on participant numbers will be decided by each national governing body (NGB) or organising organisation and will follow Covid-secure guidance
• Organised outdoor sport and activity includes:
  • Organised outdoor group activities (e.g. outdoor exercise classes, group cycle rides, walking groups etc.)
  • Outdoor team sports (including adapted versions for 'higher risk' team sports)
  • Other organised outdoor sports, such as, but not limited to, tennis, golf, horse riding, water sports will be able to resume
  • Organised sport participation events (road races, running and cycling events, triathlons etc.).
• Spectators are not allowed at any grassroot sport and physical activity sessions or events. This does not apply to carers for disabled people, or adults needed to supervise under-18s in a safeguarding role. Where it's necessary for them to be present, supervising adults should not mix with others from outside their household or support bubble
• Informal sport and physical activity is not covered by any exemptions, and will have to follow the legal gathering limits for outdoors: the 'rule of six' or two households
• Disabled people can take part in organised outdoor and indoor sport without being subject to social contact limits.

Click on the link to view Sport England's full FAQ section.

Click here to view the Government's latest guidance.

Swimming clubs, operators and all involved in swimming can find the latest guidance here.

Our Sport Organisation Support (SOS) section also provides further guidance and support.