VIDEO: Big day out of NI lockdown as gyms and cinemas re-open

Gyms, cinemas, bingo halls and outdoor playgrounds can all re-open from today (Friday) as Northern Ireland marked another major milestone on the road to covid recovery.

The Executive also agreed that outdoor horse racing and equestrian competitions as well as outdoor competitive games and sporting events can resume from July 11.

However, no spectators will be allowed.

Downtown & Cool FM have been finding out what one gym group has been doing to prepare for the opening.

Our Reporter Sarah McKinley got to see at first hand the changes planned at GLL Better Leisure gyms.

Initially, they will have a first phased reopening – for members and staff.

Then from July 14, gyms at the nine larger buildings will open. These include Brook, Grove, Lisnasharragh, Olympia, Falls, Better Gym Belfast, Better Gym Connswater, Andersonstown and Shankill

Adrian Walker manager at the Olympia said: "All of our centres vary slightly because of the size of the gyms involved so in Olympia, for example, so we would usually have 115 stations, we've had to cut that down to 64 stations to ensure there is a two-metre gap between each piece of equipment.

"We are able to offer 10 slots per 10 customers every 10 minutes - that's a throughput of 60 customers per hour."

Ministers also ratified earlier commitments in relation to marriages, baptisms and civil partnerships to resume on Friday.

Meanwhile, it was also confirmed that face coverings on public transport will be mandatory from Friday.

Masks have been mandatory on public transport in the Republic from June 30.

• gyms
• lockdown