Coronavirus: is it safe to run in groups again and how many people are you allowed to run with?

As cities and towns across the country have moved into various phases of re-opening, you might be wondering what this means for group runs or getting together for post-run beers. Though recommendations will vary depending on where you live, there are some general things to keep in mind when deciding what running safe amidst the pandemic concerns means to you. All decisions are individual, but it’s important to be aware of how the spread of the virus is progressing in your area and follow local health recommendations. Depending on where you live, some types of businesses, such as hairdressers, gyms, and bars are still closed, and places that are open are operating under new safety guidelines. If you’re running outside, it’s probably okay to meet up with a close friend or training partner that you trust—as long as you remember to spread out and avoid physical contact. Having conversations with your training partners about how muchexposure they may have had to coronavirus or how much time they’ve spent in close proximity to others is important in gauging your risk. Being outside can help mitigate some of the risk of the virus spreading, and while we still don’t have a firm grasp on what distance apart you need to be, to stay safe, at least six feet apart has been the recommendation, Powers says. £129.99 £149.99 £379.00 £399.00 Additionally, it’s still unknown when presymptomatic (the time before you start to show symptoms of the virus) spread can occur, so it’s best to continue social-distancing practices, hand washing, and wearing a mask when you are in situations that social distancing will be difficult. If you are feeling well, however, moderate exercise can be beneficial to your immune system, as long as you are safe while doing it, Nieman says. And, as we move into summer and many indoor establishments remain closed, more and more people will be sharing popular outdoor public spaces. In the past, you likely ran pretty close to your training partners, talked, breathed heavily, or spit. And, while you might decide to not wear a mask while you run, you still need to bring one with you in case of an emergency that will put you in close contact with someone else (such as a sprained ankle) or an unexpected event (such as popping into a store to buy a drink as most places of business require a mask), Labus says. Again, follow logical guidelines: don’t high five, do not share water bottles, drive in separate cars to your running location, and avoid hanging around chatting in close proximity in one place (or have a mask handy if you’re doing some socially distanced talking afterward). Overall as temps heat up, you’ll want to be sure you’re properly hydrated and carry your own water if you plan to be out for a long time so you can avoid using any working public drinking fountains.