All 20 leisure centres in Wiltshire will reopen next week, following government confirmation that the country will go-forward with step two of its roadmap out of lockdown.

All 10 of the Wiltshire Council managed leisure centres and the 10 managed by Places Leisure will reopen next week, however, indoor group exercise classes will not be permitted to begin until May 17, at the earliest.

The council said the health and safety of visitors is paramount and for the reopening will introduce measures such as social distancing and increase hygiene measures.

People are encouraged to book in advance in order to help manage the numbers at each location at any given time.

Online booking for council-run centres is now available for members and will be available for non-members from 10 April.

Jessica Gibbons, director for communities and neighbourhood services, said: “We are delighted to be able to reopen our leisure centres, and know how important these facilities are to our communities and the support they help provide for people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming people back next week and, as government guidance allows, being able to enjoy a much greater range of activities once again.”

Swimming lessons for children will also resume on April 12. However, lessons that were not planned to resume in January will not return immediately in April. The leisure teams are making plans to enable these lessons to return as soon as possible.

Gymnastics lessons will resume at Five Rivers and start at Springfield, during the week beginning Monday April 12, and start at Marlborough from the week beginning Monday 19 April.

Lessons at Tidworth are unable to start at the moment due to the unavailability of the sports hall.

Active Health services will resume at leisure centres from April 12 except Active Health classes, which will remain online until at least May 17.

Sports development outdoor activities including Healthier Communities, StreetGames and Walking Sports are scheduled to return from April 12 with appropriate social distancing measures in place. Existing participants will be contacted regarding their session in due course. The Get Wiltshire Walking project will resume from Tuesday, May 4.

The council would usually review prices for activities and memberships in April, but when the centres reopen, all prices will remain the same as they were in January.