Are gyms open in tier 2 and 3?

Matt Hancock has revealed which areas of England will move tier allocations this weekend due to the local infection rates of Covid-19.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday, the health secretary revealed that while some areas will be upgraded into tier 3, others will move down one tier.

Bedfordshire, Berkshire, and Portsmouth are among the areas that will all enter into tier 3, while Herefordshire will move from tier 2 into tier 1.

London, the South and West of Essex and the South of Hertfordshire were already placed into Tier 3 on Wednesday due to the rising number of coronavirus infections.

You can find out which alert level your area falls under using this guide on the government website.  The NHS Covid 19 app will also be updated and show which local alert level applies in which area. 

Read more: Can hairdressers and beauty salons reopen after lockdown?

Gyms have been confirmed as one of the establishments that can stay open across all tiers, but there are some caveats to note. Here’s your guide to the various restrictions across gyms and communal sport once now the national lockdown has lifted. 

Gyms can stay open in Tier 2. This includes indoor exercise classes. However, those visiting both the gym and/or participating in classes must (where possible) avoid mixing with people they don’t live with or share a support bubble with.

The only exemptions at this time is for youth groups or those playing disability sports, which have both been given the green light for higher amounts of social mixing.

Those living in Tier 2 regions are also permitted to participate in organised outdoor sports.

Read more: Will I be able to see my family at Christmas?

Gyms in Tier 3 regions can stay open but with notable restrictions. 

Individuals can visit gyms to exercise, but organised indoor sport – including indoor exercise and dance classes – is not permitted to go ahead.

Similar to Tier 2 regions, indoor disability sports, as well as sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s are exceptions to the restrictions and can continue.

Outdoor organised sport and exercise classes are allowed to continue, although the government advises that “higher-risk contact activity” should not take place, in line with social distancing.

Read more: London tier 3 rules: Latest restrictions as capital to move to 'high alert level'

Many establishments – such as pubs, bars, hairdressers, beauty treatments, theatres, cinemas and non-essential shops – can remain open across the UK, depending on what tier their region is in.

The “rule of six” has been rolled out differently across different tiers. For instance, exercise classes operating in tier 1 gyms must implement this rule, instead of limiting to contact with just those in the same household and support bubble.

Pubs and bars in Tier 2 must close, unless operating as restaurants, while hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. Meanwhile, in Tier 3, these establishments must only open for delivery, takeaway or drive-through.