NEW Covid-19 measures will be put in place at Fife Sports and Leisure Trust venues following the latest tightening of restrictions.

The new guidelines will be introduced in premises across Fife from December 27 to keep customers and staff safe while minimising disruption to sports and leisure opportunities.

In line with Scottish Government guidance, all indoor adult contact sports, such as five-a-side football, will be cancelled until further notice and lane swimming will be re-introduced – family swim sessions will be maintained but numbers will be monitored.

The trust will be continuing its high levels of health and safety and customers will be asked to maintain one metre physical distancing guidance while in venues and to make use of the Scottish Government’s Check In Scotland QR code on entry.

They will also have to comply with face covering regulations, use cleaning equipment provided for gym equipment and stations before and after use, to ensure good hand washing, not to visit if feeling unwell and to do regular lateral flow tests.

As previously announced, Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre, Bowhill Swimming Pool and Lumphinnans Sports Hub will shut from tomorrow (Friday, Christmas Eve - December 24) this year and will re-open on Monday, January 3.

Those in need of a swim or a gym visit can however visit one of the trust's other venues in Fife, as the doors will remain open in between Christmas and New Year at Carnegie Leisure Centre, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre and Michael Woods Leisure Centre, Glenrothes; from Monday, December 27 to Thursday 30.

Duloch Leisure Centre will close today (Thursday, December 23) and re-open on January 6.

Scott Urquhart, sports and physical activity team manager for Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said: “We have consistently delivered a high standard of health and safety measures throughout the COVID pandemic so we are in a good position to re-introduce protocols in line with the latest guidance.

"Customers can feel confident that all necessary steps are being taken by teams across all venues and that we are striving to maintain access to facilities and programmes with the exception of contact sports.

“More now than ever, we’d like customers to support our efforts by taking simple steps to keep themselves and others safe – take a lateral flow test, wear a face covering, wash hands regularly, maintain social distancing and cover mouth or nose if coughing or sneezing, and finally, do not attend venues if feeling unwell.”

For full details on new protocols and festive operating hours, visit www.fifeleisure.org.uk.