Are Saunas and Steam Rooms in England Open Now Despite Covid Restrictions?

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses and public facilities have had to adapt to new regulations and restrictions. In England, this includes saunas and steam rooms, which are popular for their health and relaxation benefits. As of 1st June 2021, the question on many people’s minds is whether these facilities are now open despite the ongoing pandemic. This article aims to provide a comprehensive answer to this question, taking into account the latest government guidelines and the measures that these facilities have put in place to ensure public safety.

Current Government Guidelines

According to the UK government’s roadmap out of lockdown, saunas and steam rooms were allowed to reopen from 17th May 2021. This is part of Step 3 of the roadmap, which also saw the reopening of indoor entertainment venues and the resumption of international travel. However, these reopenings are subject to certain conditions, including the successful implementation of COVID-secure measures.

COVID-Secure Measures in Saunas and Steam Rooms

As part of their reopening, saunas and steam rooms have had to implement a range of measures to ensure they are COVID-secure. These include:

• Reduced capacity to ensure social distancing can be maintained
• Enhanced cleaning and hygiene protocols
• Provision of hand sanitiser stations
• Encouraging customers to wear face coverings when not in the sauna or steam room

These measures are designed to minimise the risk of transmission and ensure that customers can use these facilities safely.

What to Expect When Visiting a Sauna or Steam Room

While saunas and steam rooms are now open, the experience may be slightly different to what customers are used to. In addition to the COVID-secure measures mentioned above, customers may also be required to book their visit in advance to manage capacity. There may also be time limits on how long customers can stay in the sauna or steam room to allow for cleaning and to ensure as many people as possible can use the facilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as of 1st June 2021, saunas and steam rooms in England are open. However, they are operating under new guidelines and restrictions to ensure they are COVID-secure. Customers are advised to check with individual facilities for specific details and to follow all guidelines when visiting to ensure their own safety and the safety of others.