Leisure centres and gyms across the county remain open despite Boris Johnson’s insistence people should avoid “non-essential” contact with others.

During an address on Monday, the Prime Minister advised Britons to stay away from gatherings and crowded places.

In the wake of the Tory leader’s announcement, though, centres across Kent are continuing to welcome fitness fanatics.

A spokesman for PureGym – which has branches in Canterbury, Folkestone, Chatham, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells – says it has increased cleaning in an attempt to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

She added: “In addition, we are working to ensure soap dispensers and hand sanitisers remain filled and providing additional cleaning stations in all gyms to allow members to self-clean equipment before and after use.

“When occasional incidents do arise - such as a member who has recently visited the gym testing positive - we have established clear protocols and processes for informing the members of the gym, closing and deep cleaning the gym, and re-opening it within 24 to 48 hours.”

Active Life gyms and swimming pools in Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable also remain open.

Elsewhere, a Medway Council spokesman says it is business as usual at Medway Park Sports Centre, Strood Sports Centre, Hoo Sports Centre, Splashes Sports Centre and the Strand Leisure Park, which are all owned by the authority.

Speaking on behalf of Tides Leisure Pool and Tennis Centre in Sandwich, Freedom Leisure managing director Kevin Fordham said: “At present our focus is upon business as normal as best we can but with a special focus on good hygiene for our staff and customers.”

Sandwich Leisure Centre manager Sarah Owen says “everything is running as normal” at the Deal Road site.

“We are revising our cleaning schedules,” she added.

“We’re attached to a school even though we run independently so we’re following government guidelines.”

In Ashford, the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi have been closed at the Stour Centre, which otherwise remains open.

Jason Mahoney, from the Marsh Academy Leisure Centre, says little has changed at the premises

“We have the usual things in place with hygiene, so we’re reminding people to do more of the same,” he added.

“We have soap and water and customers are asked to wipe equipment down with anti-bacterial spray.

“It’s business as usual at the moment, but the situation changes every day.”

Staff at Hartsdown and Ramsgate Leisure Centres in Thanet have confirmed that they are keeping their doors open as normal and all classes are continuing until they are informed by management that the situation has changed.

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