Outdoor pools and venues to re-open in England from 29 March

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a ‘cautious’ four-part roadmap to lift lockdown restrictions in England, which could see outdoor swimming pools, lidos, and open water venues re-open from as early as March.

The prime minister told MPs that at every stage decisions would be led by “data not dates” and could be subject to change.

When will pools re-open?

From 29 March, outdoor swimming pools and lidos, as well as open water venues will be allowed to re-open.

Outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households could also be allowed from 29 March, meaning swimmers would be able to meet up in groups outdoors to swim.

When will indoor pools re-open?

Five weeks later, from 12 April, indoor pools, as well as gyms and other sporting facilities, will be allowed to reopen for individual use or within household groups.

When will events take place?

On 21 June, as part of the final wave of lockdown easing, all legal limits on social contact will go, meaning outdoor events could be allowed to take place – if the data allows.

This will come as encouraging news for swim event companies, who were unable to host their events last season.

Restrictions elsewhere in the UK

The Welsh Government are yet to produce a roadmap detailing the end of their Covid lockdown. Currently four people can meet from up to two households, solely for exercising outdoors.

In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also outlined a ‘cautious’ framework to lifting lockdown restrictions. Gyms and other sporting facilities are expected to reopen from 26 April.

Northern Ireland has extended lockdown restrictions until 1 April and will review the measures there on 18 March.