COUNCIL-OWNED gyms and swimming pools will remain open in Taunton and Wellington until the government advises otherwise.

Everyone Active currently runs the council-owned facilities throughout Taunton Deane.

These include Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Blackbrook Leisure Centre, Taunton Pool, Wellington Sports Centre and Vivary Golf Course.

Mark Washington, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “As it stands, all Everyone Active sites remain open until the government advises otherwise.

"We are closely monitoring all advice and guidance from the government and Public Health England and are updating our colleagues and customers accordingly.

"This includes having notices in clear view within all our sites that state the recommended preventative measures."

The gym provider is upping its cleaning protocols, as well as encouraging gym-goers to be sensible and clean after themselves during this time, when a healthy lifestyle could prove to be a helpful measure.

Mr Washington added: "“We have increased the cleaning regimes within our centres and are paying particular attention to key touch-point areas. As standard practise, we are also asking our customers to support by ensuring they utilise the anti-bacterial cleaning sprays and paper towels to wipe down gym stations before and after use.

“As per the advice from PWTAG (Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group) we are also reassuring customers that the water and chlorine within the swimming pools will help to kill the virus. Therefore, all swimming lessons across our centres will continue while our sites remain open.

“We would like to emphasise that staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle should remain a priority for our colleagues and members."

More information is available at everyoneactive.com/coronavirus/.