Northampton's gyms and pools staying open during crisis .. for now, at least

Northampton's public swimming pools and leisure centres will stay open as long as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.

Health and fitness provider Trilogy Leisure, which operates five centres and four pools in partnership with local councils, say facilities are all still fully open with full use of the gyms, classes, racket sports and pools.

Trilogy are responsible for Danes Camp, Lings Forum Leisure Centre, Duston Sports Centre, Cripps Recreation Centre and the Mounts Baths in the town.

And they are reaching out to help the elderly and vulnerable who are staying at home.

Trilogy managing director Ian Redfern said: "We took the decision to close The Forum at Lings in line with other cinemas in the town.

"But everything is else is open. Clearly vulnerable people with underlying health conditions are being advised to stay at home but anyone else who wants to come and is able to come, can come.

"Things are changing all the time and we might find out there is a Government directive to to close all leisure facilities. But we don’t know if or when that might be coming. We’re following all the up to date information.

"We have noticed a drop-off in numbers of people coming in particularly among the elderly, which is to be expected.

"That is why we have also posted links to a number of exercises on our website that people can do while they’re in front of their computer, so we’re still offering a service to our members who cannot get out."

Trilogy have increased cleaning hours and doubled the checks at all their six centres and are stocked up with anti-bacterial wipes for members to wipe down equipment after use.

Public Health England say it is safe to go swimming during the coronavirus pandemic as chlorine within the water kills the virus.

Gyms are not considered areas for large-scale gatherings similar to pubs and clubs, which the Government are advising people to avoid. And health experts sp far consider there is no current evidence to suggest that gyms are high-risk areas for spreading the Covid-19 bug.