Beauty salons to reopen from Monday as gyms and indoor pools follow on 25 July

Beauty salons, tanning shops and tattooists can reopen in England from Monday, the government has said, while gyms and indoor swimming pools will be allowed to let customers return later this month.

In a further easing of lockdown restrictions, outdoor swimming pools can reopen from Saturday and indoor gyms, swimming pools, dance studios and sports like badminton and volleyball from 25 July.

Outdoor arts performances – including theatres, opera, dance and music – will also be able to resume from this weekend, although audience numbers will be restricted and will be subject to social distancing rules.

Here are the key dates:

Outdoor pools to reopen from Saturday
Theatres, opera, dance and music to resume outdoors from this weekend
Club cricket to return from Saturday, with other outdoor recreational sports to follow later
Beauticians, tattooists, spas and tanning salons to reopen from Monday
Indoor gyms, swimming pools and dance studios to return from 25 July

Image: Gyms have put measures in place to ensure social distancing

"Normal life is slowly returning," Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told a Downing Street news conference.

"Having allowed hairdressers to reopen, beauticians, tattooists, spas, tanning salons and other close contact services can now do the same, I'm pleased to say, from Monday.

"Of course that will be subject to some restrictions on particularly high-risk services."

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There will be restrictions on numbers in gyms and pools and people will be encouraged to shower and change at home where possible, though changing rooms will be open.

People take part in a small exercise class at the Lionheart Fitness gym in Bedlington, Northumberland, which has moved some equipment into the car park as indoor gyms are still not permitted to open due to coronavirus lockdown restrictions. — Image: A gym in Northumberland moved equipment into the car park so classes could be held outdoors

But Mr Dowden said face coverings would not need to be worn in gyms.

"We have not taken a decision to require the wearing of face masks in respect of gyms," he said.

Club cricket can resume from this Saturday, with a limited number of spectators allowed and clubhouse bars will be able to open, subject to social distancing rules.

Guidance has been published to enable competitive grassroots team sports to resume – but each individual sport will have to submit an action plan to the government on how they will operate before they can be approved to restart.

For outdoor sports like cricket, supporters will also be allowed to attend in small numbers provided they are in groups of two households only, or no larger than six people from different households, and adhere to social distancing measures.