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And performing artists will be allowed to put on outdoor plays and concerts from next week as well. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, announcing the latest moves, said: “As we’ve made huge progress against this disease, we’ve gradually seen the things we love return.” Officials at the Department for Culture, Digital, Media and Sport published new guidelines to ensure the beauty and leisure sectors of the economy can begin trading again while minimising danger of spreading coronavirus. Reopened leisure facilities must introduce timed booking systems to limit numbers, equipment will have to be spaced out and enhanced cleaning will be mandatory.

Mr Dowden said: “The return of gyms and recreational sport is a vital part of our battle against coronavirus.

“We need to get the nation to get match-fit to defeat this disease.”

And he urged people to take advantage of the latest returned freedoms to help boost the economy and protect jobs.

He added: “Our fight began with a collective effort, and I really hope it will end with one. At the beginning, we all stayed home to protect the NHS and save lives.

“Now the British public has a new part to play. It’s time to eat out to help out, to enjoy the arts to help out and to work out to help out.”

He added: “Exercise is incredibly important for physical and mental health.

“From this weekend onwards, millions of people will be able to rejoin their sports teams as soon as their organisations publish approved guidance.

“Recreational cricket is back this weekend.

“Five-a-side foot-ball, basketball, hockey and countless other sports will follow shortly.

“From this Saturday, they’ll also be able to enjoy outdoor pools and waterparks.

“And from Saturday 25, people will no longer have to work out in the park or on their living room floor. They’ll be able to get back into their gyms, their indoor swimming pools, their leisure centres, and jump on the spin bike or treadmill for the first time in months.”

Mr Dowden said that open-air performances would be an important milestone for performing artists, who have been waiting patiently in the wings since March.

He said: “Of course we won’t see crowds flooding into their venues.

“But from 11 July, theatres, operas, dance and music shows can put on outdoor performances to socially distanced audiences.

“Theatregoers can experience a live play for the first time in months at places like the stunning Minack Theatre in Cornwall.

“And music lovers can attend Glyndebourne this summer.”

However venue capacity will be reduced, and organisations encouraged to move to electronic ticketing, to help test and trace.

Mr Dowden urged the public to follow social distancing guidelines as they take advantage of reopening businesses.

He warned: “All of the measures we are taking are conditional and reversible.”

Duncan Bannatyne, the owner of health club and spa firm Bannatyne Group and star of Dragon’s Den, welcomed the news.

He said: “The fitness sector is vitally important, both for the nation’s health and the economy.”

Mike Cherry, the national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Beauticians, nail salons, gyms and the wider fitness sector have faced months without customers, and they’ll be pleased to see that they can finally get back to business.”

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