Coronavirus guidance for sport and leisure facilities

This guidance is for the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities. It has information on how to work, operate and participate in sport and gym/leisure facilities in Scotland.

The general guidance on sports and leisure facilities looks at key areas that employers and facility operators will need to consider as part of their planning: 

• assessing risk - involving the workforce in a risk-based approach to a safer workplace for both staff, customers and participants
• workforce planning - supporting those who should come to work, and those who should not
• operational guide and checklist - changing the environment to protect your workforce, customers and participants

It also has advice and information on: 

• the current coronavirus situation
• dealing with COVID symptoms within the workplace

Protection levels for sport and exercise

Level 0

• All permitted

Level 1

• All permitted except 18+ indoor contact sport (professional permitted)

Level 2

• All permitted except 18+ indoor contact sport (professional permitted)

Level 3

• Indoor: individual exercise only (exemption for under 18s)
• Outdoor: all except adult (18+) contact sports (professional permitted)

Level 4

• Indoor: gyms closed
• Outdoor: non-contact sports only (professional permitted)

Lockdown

• Indoor: gyms closed
• Outdoor: organised sport and exercise can only take place within a single household group, or a group containing no more than 2 people from 2 different households. This includes non-contact sports

This is a free service. 

Providers and operators of sport and leisure facilities, who are ready to open safely following public health guidance: 

Outdoor

• Sports courts (including MUGA’s), pitches and athletics facilities

Indoor

• sports halls and gymnasiums
• courts, tracks and pitches
• gyms and exercise areas
• dance and fitness studios
• indoor bowling halls
• hot tubs, hydrotherapy pools, whirlpools and spa pools

Indoor and Outdoor

• swimming and diving pools
• ice rinks
• velodromes
• equestrian yards and arenas
• wheeled facilities (skate parks, BMX parks)
• golf/driving ranges
• boxing/martial arts/combat facilities
• gymnastics and trampoline halls
• climbing facilities
• other sporting facilities including but not limited to, target sports, snowsport and water sports facilities

Further guidance is required on saunas and steam rooms. They should stay out of use for the time being.

Find out the COVID protection level for your local area and get information on what you can and cannot do at each level.

Visit the Scottish Government website for more information and to read the full guidance.