Paris (AFP)

The swimming pools, sports halls and gymnasiums, closed since the start of containment, will reopen on June 2 in the green zone, and on June 22 in the orange zones, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe announced on Thursday.

"I know it was a decision expected by many as the summer approached," said the Prime Minister after announcing the reopenings. Outside Ile-de-France, Guyana and Mayotte, territories classified orange, athletes will therefore be able to enjoy their activity in enclosed spaces, whether it is bodybuilding or swimming.

This re-opening of fitness rooms, squash courts and even swimming pools represents a "welcome announcement" for companies in the sector, "hard hit by the crisis", reacted Union Sport et Cycle, which estimates 30% of companies in the sector at risk of "economic failure" since the start of the crisis.

Reception conditions will, however, be fairly strict, with compulsory reservations, maximum time allowed and drastic hygiene measures.

Team sports, however, are prohibited until June 22, but professional athletes will be able to resume training on June 2 "with a strict medical protocol," said Philippe.

Clearly, professional football and rugby players in particular, two contact sports, will not be able to resume collective training on June 2, and will have to continue to train "while respecting social distancing", he said. we clarified at the sports ministry. Ditto for handball and basketball.

- Collective sports prohibited -

The Prime Minister also rejected the possibility of a resumption of the professional sports championships. "I do not think the time has come (to resume the season), I hope it will come soon, and that the start of next season can be effected under normal conditions," said the head of government. , by presenting the second stage of the deconfinement plan.

"Collective sports and in particular contact sports will also remain prohibited because they do not by nature allow physical distance to be respected," said the Prime Minister.

Sports such as boxing, wrestling or judo will therefore have to wait a while before being able to resume under normal conditions.

Regarding collective sports and combat sports, athletes will be able to be tested from June 2, "at the expense of sports bodies or employers," it was said to the Ministry of Sports.

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