John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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841. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when gyms and fitness centres can reopen to the public. [10916/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Government-approved Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, and its specific phasing, is based on public health advice.  Compliance with the various requirements attaching to each phase of the Roadmap is essential to ensure continued progress against the COVID-19 pandemic. The roadmap  provides for the reopening of gyms, where regular and effective cleaning can be carried out and social distancing can be maintained, as part of the final phase i.e. from the 20th of July, 2020.

I have established an Expert Group on Return to Sport, which will provide guidance to the sporting bodies so that they can prepare for the phased return to sporting activity in line with the Government Roadmap for Reopening Business and Society. In this context it is necessary that each sporting body prepares a detailed protocol setting out the manner in which it proposes to achieve compliance with the restrictions applicable to each phase.

The Government has recognised the importance of sport and physical activity in the development and phasing of the Roadmap. Phase 2 of the Roadmap, which commenced on 8 June, permits certain outdoor sports and physical activities, including fitness classes, in groups of no more than 15 people, subject to the maintenance of social distancing and compliance with the prevailing travel restrictions.