Covid-19 Hub
Customer and Members Update
Following the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus variant, the UK Government has reintroduced some COVID measures.
From Tuesday 30th November, advice in England will be for people to wear face coverings while in shops and on public transport , unless exemptions apply.
No measures or guidance has been received relating to leisure centres but we support any customer wishing to wear a face mask whilst moving around our centres.
We will continue to monitor the situation and update guidance if appropriate.
In line with previous actions, we will continue to follow Government Guidance, as per the announcements on 12 July, regarding moving to Step 4 from 19th July, across Wave, Sport Eastbourne and East Grinstead Sports Club.
Please be reassured that, as we do so, the health and well-being of our staff, members and local community will continue to be our number one priority.
Please be aware we are reacting to the announcements as they are made, and we will do our best to respond as soon as possible. Several restrictions that we were required to put into place at the start of the Pandemic will take longer to remove so please bear with us whilst changes are implemented. We will continue to provide updates here. We hope the following frequently asked questions (FAQ) section offers an insight.
We will continue to review and monitor government guidance regarding any changes, and we will provide updates here.
Thank you for your ongoing support and patience.
FAQ
Does social distancing still apply?
The government guidance provided has removed the need for social distancing and, in line with our approach to date, we will continue to follow Government advise including the need for minimising proximity of social contacts.
This means we will not return all activities to full capacity, but will begin to make some upward adjustment to attendance numbers.
We do remind customers to be courteous of others when moving around the building and will implement any necessary changes once clarity has been provided by Government.
Will one-way systems still be in place?
No, one-way systems will no longer be in place when moving around our building. Please continue to access activities via the main entrance and register your attendance with our customer service team on arrival. This means you will be able to leave our buildings the same way you entered.
Will sanitising stations still be available?
Yes, we will continue to provide sanitising stations at all sites and request that all members and customers sanitise hands, prior to participating in activity or entering changing rooms and toilets.
Do I need to wear a face covering?
Although no longer a requirement, in line with Government guidance, we would recommend that customers and members wear a face covering while moving around our buildings, particularly during busy periods.
Will there still be a limit to the number of people within a changing room or toilet?
No, there will be no restrictions on the number of people accessing changing rooms and toilets, but please be considerate of others’ space.
Will lockers and showers be made available?
Yes, lockers and showers will be available for use before and after your participation in activity.
Will barriers and screens still be in place at reception?
Barriers enabling social distancing at reception points will no longer be in place but sneeze screens will still remain for the benefit of our staff and customers.
Will air conditioning be on?
We will continue to follow guidance, once available, but will be seeking for air conditioning to be phased back into centres when able.
Can I hold my child’s party with you?
Yes, children’s parties are available, book now to avoid disappointment.
Can I hire sports equipment for use in centre?
The ability to hire equipment such as, badminton rackets and table tennis bats will be available.
Will Spin Classes to return to pre-covid layouts?
Capacity levels will vary from site to site however layouts will maximise use of available space.
Will QR codes still be available for Track and Trace?
Although no longer a legal requirement, we will continue to provide QR codes for NHS Track and Trace across all centres. Feel free to use QR Codes as a way of registering your visit with NHS Track and Trace.
What will my visit to the Gym look like?
- Social distancing markings around equipment will be removed.
- Some equipment which has previously been removed, will be returned to our gyms.
- Capacities will begin to increase.
- Cleaning stations will remain in place and we request that you wipe down the equipment you are seeking to use before and after your activity.
- You can just turn up to attend the gym, however, the ability to book a session will still be in place. You can stay for as long as you like.
- At Downs Leisure Centre where the gym has been split across two separate areas, you will be able to move freely between these two spaces without exiting the building.
What will my attendance in Group Exercise Classes look like?
- Class capacities will begin to increase, taking into consideration space and nature of activity.
- A number of classes will begin to move back to their original locations in studio spaces.
- Customers and members are requested to sanitise their hands before going into a class.
- Customers and members will be asked to collect and return equipment during the class, where appropriate.
Can we now return to playing sport indoors?
Following the Government announcement, from experience, we are anticipating National Governing Bodies announcing their own guidance regarding the participation in sport. This process normally takes up seven days and we will respond accordingly.
See our COVID-19 Risk Assessment.
