Coronavirus latest: Luton Borough Council cancels reopening of gyms, pools, play areas and leisure centres on Saturday

Luton Borough Council has cancelled the planned reopening of gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres on Saturday amid coronavirus fears.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Following a spike in new infections, senior figures from the council met with central government officials and agreed that leisure facilities will not reopen as planned on July 25.

Other local measures being taken include:

> Extra testing capacity across town, with details to be announced shortly;

Gyms will not reopen in Luton as orginally planned on Saturday    (C. Getty Images)Gyms will not reopen in Luton as orginally planned on Saturday    (C. Getty Images)
Gyms will not reopen in Luton as orginally planned on Saturday (C. Getty Images)

> Keeping play areas closed;

> Enforcement against businesses breaching guidelines or that fail to show they are Covid-19 safe;

> New guidance to be issued from the council's director of public health that people should not make social visits to other people’s homes;

Cllr Hazel Simmons, leader of the council, said: “Our main priority is to protect Luton and these measures only serve to underline the importance of doing just that.

"Please pass these important messages on to your family and friends and if you can, stay at home.

“Fighting coronavirus is everyone’s responsibility. Too many families and friends have lost loved ones and we must do everything we can to ensure more lives aren’t wasted unnecessarily.

"There has been too much heartache in the town for us to risk further anguish, pain and suffering.”

The council continues to urge residents to follow these guidelines:

> Stay at home as much as possible;

> Only meet up with others outside and always keep a two metre distance;

> Don’t meet in large groups – people should not gather outside in groups greater than six individuals (unless they are from the same household);

> Wash your hands regularly;

> Wear a face covering in all enclosed public spaces where it is difficult to keep two metres apart;

> Book at test at nhs.uk/coronavirus and self-isolate if you have any symptoms, however mild;

The effectiveness of these measures will be monitored by the council, with "further steps" to be taken if necessary.