Ceredigion council will not open its leisure centres for at least another two months, the Cambrian News can reveal, despite updated Welsh Government guidelines allowing them to reopen on Monday.

The Welsh Government announced on Friday that from Monday, 3 May, “gyms, fitness facilities, leisure centres, spas and swimming pools can reopen”, “organised children’s indoor activities can recommence”, and “organised indoor activities for adults can also recommence for up to 15 people.”

Despite the guidance, Ceredigion council has said Aberaeron Leisure Centre, Lampeter Leisure Centre, and Lampeter Swimming Pool will not be open until 5 July at the earliest – more than two months after the Welsh Government advice says it’s safe to open.

No date has yet been given for the reopening of Plascrug Leisure Centre in Aberystwyth after it was returned to the council by Hywel Dda Health Board at the end of March after serving as a rainbow hospital.

The council said that “significant decommissioning and reinstatement works are required before it can operate as a leisure facility.”

Cardigan Leisure Centre is currently a mass vaccination centre and will “remain so for as long as required by the health board.”

Other activities given the green light by the Welsh Government will also not be allowed until sometime in May at council-operated venues.

The council said that ‘wellbeing walks’ could commence from 18 May, with outdoor exercise classes, community organisations use of council-owned outdoor facilities, and playing fields can be used from 28 May.

Despite lagging significantly behind the timetable set out by the First Minister Mark Drakeford, the council added that its outline dates are still “dependent on there being no significant increase in the number of cases in the county.”

“The local authority recognises that the dates provided are potentially later than anticipated, however they have been set to ensure that we continue to reduce the risk of any increase in cases and support our priorities in our fight against the virus,” a council spokesperson told the Cambrian News.

“They also enable staff who have been seconded to support other council services during the pandemic to return to their posts within the Wellbeing Centre Service.”