Council and Live Borders announce reopening dates

Priortising services which promote health and wellbeing, support vulnerable people, and reinvigoratie the economy, both organisations say they recognise how much customers, communities and visitors value these services which range from swimming pools to museums.

Their jointly agreed reopening plan acknowledges this while taking into account other factors, including support provided through Live Borders facilities and their staff for the covid vaccination programme, and where services cannot be delivered through alternative means.

However, health and fitness sites including gyms and swimming pools are scheduled to open from April 26, with the Jim Clark Motorsport Museum in Duns and the Hawick Heritage Hub open from May 17.

Mobile Library services will restart on May 31, and a phased reopening of remaining museums and galleries will begin on June 28.

Libraries and contact centres will open up from August 16, with halls and community centres following suit from August 30.

Simon Mountford (pictured), depute leader of Scottish Borders Council said: “Important lessons were learnt following the reopening of some services last summer, when restrictions allowed, and these have informed the reopening plan announced this week.

"We will keep Borderers updated at every stage as we continue to move ahead with recovery plans and further reopening of services.”