Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools are due to reopen in some parts of the UK subject to meeting strict new criteria. 

The Gym Group, one of Britain's largest operators of low-cost gyms, has set out plans to reopen almost all of its establishments in England from 25 July. Its rival operator PureGym said on Thursday it would open its 220 gyms in England from 27 July.

Again, the difference between the four UK countries is striking. Indoor gyms in Northern Ireland opened earlier this month, but in Scotland and Wales they remain firmly shut.

And although indoor sports facilities, swimming pools and gyms in England now have the green light to open up as of today, about a third of public facilities probably won't. The leisure sector has warned it will continue to struggle because of the financial impact of the last few months and the continuing effects of coronavirus.

The regulations for opening are a challenge. Gyms must follow strict hygiene and social distancing measures and will have to limit the numbers coming in as well as spacing out the equipment. Class sizes will have to be reduced and all sorts of ventilation measures need to be put in place.

Pools will also be difficult to operate. Swim England recommends two-meter social distancing, although moving swimmers can get closer, but there are likely to be rules insisting on strict adherence to lane swimming. Also, establishments are likely to discourage use of changing rooms, recommending "beach-style" behaviours involving changing and showering at home.

Already two areas, Luton and Blackburn with Darwen, will remain closed because of virus spikes in those areas.

As with the shops and masks, public confidence will be crucial. Home gym equipment has widely sold out online during the lockdown as thousands of people have switched to working out in their own homes. That may not change, and online classes have now become popular or even the norm.

One report suggests membership cancellations are up to 23 percent since the start of the crisis.

Local council-owned gyms may be hardest hit, and some local authorities are already calling on the government to consider a rescue package for their leisure centres.

That said, for many people across the country, communal gyms are a lifeline to better mental and physical health. A large proportion of the public rely on gyms for their exercise because their homes are too small to use, or they simply prefer the group endeavor in a public space.

Exercise has rapidly become the best medicine for a lot of people, particularly in tackling depression and anxiety. For those people, the last months of lockdown have been a real trial.

The sports and health business community will be hoping that there are enough of those people out there ready to refloat the sector back to a survivable level again.

Check out our new six-part podcast series Notes on a Pandemic as CGTN Europe finds out how business, science and people have risen to the challenge of COVID-19.