Can golf courses and swimming pools open in Tiers 2 or 3?
A VOCAL groundswell of support for golf courses to reopen in England saw 257,000 people signing a petition against closure.
Meanwhile, Swim England has applauded the government’s decision to reopen pools – but it has repeated funding pleas to survive the Covid turmoil.
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Can golf courses open in Tier 2?
For golf addicts bored with watching TV and swapping their beloved course for a stroll around the neighbourhood, there’s good news.
The government’s new three-tier structure allows for golf courses to reopen under Tier 2.
England Golf’s CEO Jeremy Tomlinson said there’s been an “amazing groundswell of support for golf courses to reopen in England at the earliest opportunity.
“The mental and physical benefits of enjoying our great game safely at a time when so many people are experiencing feelings of isolation cannot be overstated.”
What are the new rules for playing golf?
With Tier 2 being deemed a ‘high alert’ level, the government’s updated measures state that golf courses have to observe relevant social contact rules.
For Tier 2, this means no mixing in groups greater than six people – the ‘rule of six‘ applies.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Golf has welcomed PM Boris Johnson‘s announcement on November 23 that golf clubs and other facilities in England may reopen from December 2.
England Golf said: “The announcement paves the way for golf to return at all Covid-19 alert levels within the Rule of Six, permitting fourball play without restriction on the number of households.
“Coaching, fitting and ranges will also be allowed to open, as will indoor hospitality facilities in tiers one and two.”
Can golf courses open in Tier 3?
Tier 3 based golfers can also head to their local course from December 2 – the day that England’s second national lockdown ends.
Can swimming pools open in Tier 2?
Swimmers are also able to resume their fitness regime from December 2, as per the government’s new tier rules.
This is subject to relevant social contact rules in each tier.
Swim England boss Jane Nickerson said she was delighted with the decision to reopen swimming pools when the national lockdown ends.
Jane said: “This is a most welcome development and will be music to the ears of the millions of people who go swimming in England each month.”
But she has called for further financial support to secure the long-term future of facilities.
What are the new rules for swimming pools?
In Tier 2 areas, people over 18 can take part in indoor group activity as long as there is no mixing between households.
There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing, the government adds.
Strict hygiene measure are in place at pools, and swimmers must observe social distancing rules.
The rule of six will return across all tiers.
David Lloyd says it has reduced the number of swimmers in pools – where people swim at 5m intervals.
UK Active advises people to arrive in their swimming gear, to avoid using showers.
Can swimming pools open in Tier 3?
Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools will all be able to reopen in all three tiers from December 2 – including the harsher Tier 3.
It comes after a campaign by MPs and sports groups that they should be exempt.
In Tier 3 areas, indoor sport for over 18s will be restricted to within your household only and there should be no group activity such as exercise classes.
Leisure and sports facilities, including gyms, may continue to stay open under Tier 3, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead.
There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, the government says.