In light of the ongoing coronavirus situation, as of 10pm on Friday 20th March 2020 all Volair clubs will be temporarily closed until further notice.
All activities including swimming lessons are also suspended until further notice. All direct debit payments will automatically be suspended until clubs reopen and as such there is no need to contact us to arrange this.
We are aware of the incredible value our members place on their own health & fitness however due to recent government guidance the temporary closure is crucial to help in the next phase of the government’s plan to tackle the outbreak. We will do our best to provide helpful hints, tips and workouts for our members via social media channels and recommend our members stay as active as possible during the closure.
At Volair, the health and wellbeing of our members, our team members and fitness instructors is our number one priority. We are very much aware of the growing concerns around coronavirus (Covid-19) and are taking additional precautionary measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of everybody. This is our number one priority!
The UK government has advised that everyone in the UK should now avoid “non essential” travel and contact with others to fight coronavirus. Whilst it has not issued any ban on public gatherings of any size either indoors or outdoors at this stage, the advice is to avoid non-essential contact with others, including going to sporting events, pubs, clubs, theatres and social venues.
We have been closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and continue to follow the advice provided by Public Health England.
Where possible, we encourage everyone to maintain their own personal fitness and keep active during this time, while following government guidelines about safe distance and safe exercise environments. Volair will continue to review and monitor advice provided by Public Health England and will provide detailed updates to our members.
Our team members have stepped up on their cleaning routine and we have dedicated extra time and effort to keep our clubs and equipment clean, to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
What measures have we put in place?
In line with Public Health England guidance, we have increased the level of cleaning and hygiene in our facilities, including:
Social Distancing (effective Thursday 19th March).
Social distancing measures are defined by Public Health England as spending more than 15 minutes and within a 2-metre distance talking to someone.
We are implementing social distancing within our fitness suites, this will mean that we ask members to use every other treadmill or other cardio machine rather than the one next to someone else. Some cardio machines will be switched off to allow social distancing.
We also ask members to be considerate of other members and to adopt the 2-metre rule in other areas including café/atrium areas.
All Volair team members have been advised on what to do if they have returned from foreign travel, in line with PHE recommendations.
If we are notified of any issue in any Volair club, or if another member contracts the virus, we will follow all advice from Public Health England.
At Risk Groups
The latest advice from the government’s chief medical advisor is that those over 70 currently do not need to be self-isolating. However in the coming days every person over the age of 70 and those in the at risk group will be advised to be ‘largely shielded from social contact’ for 12 weeks to help protect themselves. Those with underlying medical issues such as high blood pressure, lung complaints and weakened or compromised immune systems are more likely to develop serious illness as a result of the virus. Volair members over the age of 70 years or considered at risk can freeze their membership for 3 months.
What members can do to help?
We stand the best chance of containing the virus with the efforts of everybody working together. Volair members are encouraged to help reduce the spread of the virus through good personal hygiene. This includes:
We are monitoring the situation closely in all of our clubs and hygiene is the number one priority in our fitness suites and across the whole club.
If you require personal advice in relation to coronavirus, you should call the NHS 111 service.
Can I freeze my membership?
Yes, we understand that some members considered more at risk are concerned about safety in the fitness suite. Your health & wellbeing is our number one priority and so we have decided to waiver our usual membership freeze terms & conditions. Members now have the option to freeze their membership. This means that you do not have to cancel.
To freeze your membership please complete a contact form here or complete an amendment form at any Volair Club.
Currently, are there any confirmed cases within Volair?
No, we have not been made aware of any confirmed case across any of our clubs.
Any further updates will be provided here.
Are Volair clubs open and operating as normal?
All Volair clubs are operating as normal. Should the situation change we will update our website and social media plus members will receive an email updating them on the situation.
Members should ensure their contact details are up to date should we need to send out any communications.
Can I take my own cleaning supplies?
No, we are providing additional cleaning supplies and stations in all our fitness suites and activity rooms to allow members to self-clean equipment before and after use and have increased the levels of cleaning and hygiene in our fitness suites.
We ask members not to bring their own cleaning supplies as these can react with the equipment which can damage and impact their use for other members.
I have contacted the NHS 111 helpline and have been advised to self-isolate – what do I need to do?
You should follow the advice given from Public Health England.
If you have tested positively for coronavirus (COVID-19) and have used our clubs recently, please contact our customer care team on 0151 443 2200 or email info@volair.org.uk.
You can find more information around coronavirus here:
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
We will continue to review the measures we have put in place on a daily basis.
If there is anything that directly affects your Volair club, we will be in touch with you directly via email.