Northern Ireland

Gym-goers adapt to 'new normal' as fitness studios reopen

Gyms reopened across the north today
Gyms reopened across the north today Gyms reopened across the north today

Cinemas, bingo halls and gyms in Northern Ireland have reopened as part of the latest relaxation of lockdown rules.

Gareth Kirk of Better Leisure, which operates 15 municipal leisure facilities on behalf of Belfast City Council, said the eyes of the gym industry will be on Northern Ireland.

He said the experience of visiting a gym has changed, with pre-booking via a smartphone app essential to manage numbers and support track-and-trace efforts.

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GymCo owner David Conlon said he welcomed his first clients back through the doors at 6am today.

He told the PA news agency: "We had our first class at 6.15am and there was a huge demand for it with both classes in the gym full.

"Everybody seems to be enjoying being back training in the 'new normal' environment."

He said capacity has been reduced to ensure two-metre social distancing, while extra sanitising stations and new mats have been installed.

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw was among those welcoming the reopenings, saying going to the gym was the thing she had "missed most" during lockdown.

Meanwhile, marriages and baptisms in places of worship and civil partnerships in local government offices have also been given the green light to resume.

From today, face coverings on public transport will be mandatory.

Masks have been mandatory on public transport in the Republic since June 30.

The Stormont Executive has also confirmed further relaxations to the coronavirus regulations, and agreed amendments to the rules around international travel.

This means there will be no self-isolation requirement for those travelling to Northern Ireland from low to medium-risk countries.

The Executive also agreed yesterday that outdoor horse racing and equestrian competitions as well as outdoor competitive games and sporting events can resume from tomorrow.

Gyms reopened for the first time in months today
Gyms reopened for the first time in months today Gyms reopened for the first time in months today

However, no spectators will be allowed.

On July 16, libraries can reopen, followed by skating rinks and leisure centres the next day.

No date has been proposed for the general reopening of swimming pools although arrangements have been made to allow elite athletes to return to training.

Yesterday it was announced that there had been no deaths from Covid-19 in Northern Ireland for the sixth day in a row, according to Department of Health figures.

The department announced yesterday that the current estimate of the R rate in Northern Ireland is between 0.5 and 1.0.